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Types of Rooms
Shared Rooms
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Normal air flow, ie no special air conditioning, takes about 2 hours for the air in the room
to be replaced
Generally not useful for infection control purposes
May, if required, be used for cohorting patients with the same infectious agent (ie RSV)
Single Room with Ensuite
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Normal air flow, ie no special air conditioning, takes about 2 hours for the air in the room
to be replaced
Can be used for isolation of patients with an infectious agent (but not by the airborne
route)
Positive Pressure Room
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The purpose of this room is to protect the patient in the context of the patient being at
significant risk of infection form microorganisms in the environment, eg allogenic bone
marrow transplant recipients
These rooms are NOT suitable for patients with infectious agents requiring isolation
The supply and exhaust of these rooms should provide a positive pressure relative to the
corridor and adjacent areas. The return and exhaust flow rates should be a minimum of
10% less than the supply air rate with all doors and openings closed.
In other words: the direction of the air flow is from the outside adjacent space (ie the
corridor) into the room
Should have an air change rate of at least 12 air changes per hour
Negative Pressure Room
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Also called a Respiratory Isolation Room
These are suitable for isolation of patients with infections transmissible by the airborne
route
Appropriate personal protection should be utilized by individuals entering the room
The supply and exhaust of air to these rooms provide a negative pressure, relative to the
corridor and adjacent areas. The exhaust flow rate should be a minimum of 10% greater
than the supply air with all doors and openings closed. Therefore it is important to ensure
that all doors are closed to maintain proper air flow.
In other words: the direction of air flow is from inside the room to the outside adjacent
space (ie the corridor)
Air from these rooms should not be reticulated via or to any other ventilation system. Air
should be exhausted directly to the outside of the building, alternatively air that is to be
re-circulated should be directed through HEPA filters.
Should have an air change rate of at least 12 air changes per hour
References
Standards Australia (2003); Hand Book 260, Hospital acquired infections-Engineering down the risk;
Standards Australia
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2003); Guidelines for Environmental Infection Control in
Health-Care Facilities: Recommendations of CDC and the Healthcare Infection Control Practices
Advisory Committee (HICPAC); Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report; 52 (No.RR-10)