Negative Pressure Room：Factors to Choose the Best for Your Hospital Isolation

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Different disease conditions are evolving daily, and there is a need to curtail the spread of these diseases. With this in mind, some conditions require the patient to be isolated. You can achieve this by having an isolation room like a negative pressure room in your hospital or laboratory facilities.

If you wish to buy a negative pressure room for your facilities, this guide will help you make the best purchase decision. Also, you'll learn about the significance of a negative pressure room, its cost, and where to purchase at wholesale prices. Read on!

What is a Negative Pressure Room?

A negative pressure room is an isolation room used to control the spread of contaminants like viruses, bacteria, fungi, etc., by trapping them in the room instead of circulating to other chambers. The negative pressure room is essential in hospitals treating conditions like tuberculosis, COVID-19, smallpox, measles, etc., which can spread rapidly in a typical ward. Laboratories also rely on negative pressure chambers to protect against biochemical hazards.

The negative pressure room has a lower internal pressure than the external environment. Therefore, contaminated air cannot exit the room into other rooms in the hospital. However, it is discharged via exhaust systems equipped with filters that purify it before leaving the facility. Hence, this isolation room protects the health workers, visitors, and other patients.

There are also positive pressure rooms that prevent the entry of contaminants. The negative pressure room is also known as an airborne infection isolation room or negative pressure airflow room.

Negative Pressure Room and COVID-19

The COVID-19 crisis is still disturbing the world, and frontline health workers remain at high risk of contracting the infection. Moreover, the virulence of this virus has made the significance of negative pressure rooms more obvious.

Covid-19 is more like an airborne disease, and some patients, like the immune-compromised, elderly, and even visitors, are more vulnerable to this disease. Therefore, to protect the health workers and other patients, there is a need to create an isolation room with lower pressure that allows air to come in and filters contaminated air out of the room. This curtails the spread of the disease via heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems (HVAC).

How to Create Negative Air Pressure in a Room at Home

COVID-19 is still active and spreading, and there are situations whereby hospital facilities won't be able to accommodate more patients or may need to manage less severe cases at home. Therefore, there is a need to improvise and create a negative pressure room at home.

First, you need to select a suitable room,   minimize access to it and ensure it is sealed such that the room is airtight. However, for outdoor purposes, you can use heavy plastic curtains.

To create negative air pressure in a room, you have to maneuver airflow to continuously influx fresh air; you can achieve this by creating a pressure difference between the room and its surrounding. A simple method is to install a window exhaust, ensuring the edges are sealed. Another alternative is to have central air, which you can incorporate HVAC systems with HEPA filters.

The minimum pressure difference required for a negative pressure room is -0.01" because, at this pressure, contaminants cannot escape. However, it may be a little higher depending on the type of HVAC system. Above all, you want to achieve a minimum of 12 air changes per hour (ACH).

You need to consider some factors when creating a negative pressure room at home. First, there should be an anteroom like it is in the hospital setting, which locks the air and prevents the spread of contaminants.

Also, for the exhaust fan to work with the wind and prevent the creation of positive pressure, a room that is downwind is preferable. Finally, the direction of the exhaust fan is another factor to consider because you don't want to expel contaminated air to the public.

Negative Pressure Room Application/Uses

Negative pressure rooms are applied majorly in infection control to curtail the spread of contagious diseases like tuberculosis and COVID-19.

Negative Pressure Room Cost

The cost of constructing or installing a negative pressure room is unique depending on the structure of the hospital facility and the location if you are considering an outdoor space. You can contact Medwish.com for detailed information on the cost and installation of your preferred negative pressure room.

Negative Pressure Room vs. Positive Pressure Room

The pressure in a positive pressure room is higher than that of the surrounding environment; thus, contaminants in the external environment cannot enter the room. Positive pressure rooms are employed in the operation theatre, animal nurseries, and in vitro fertilization labs. 

On the other hand, the pressure in a negative pressure room is lower than in the external environment. Thus, contaminated air is trapped and does not leave the room. Negative pressure rooms are employed in autopsy rooms, triage areas, bathrooms, waiting areas, etc.

Negative Pressure Room Guidelines

CDC and ASHRAE design standard guidelines for constructing a negative pressure room. The room must run at a minimum of 12 ACH and a minimum pressure difference of 0.01”. Also, the space should be equipped with automatic doors, and there should be an anteroom channeled into the isolation room. The exhaust from both chambers must be directed outdoors without contaminating other rooms. In addition, the amount of air expelled should be more than the air influx to achieve a pressure differential, and the air must be discharged through a HEPA filter.

How to Calculate Air Pressure Changes per Hour in a Negative Pressure Room

Air changes per hour (ACH) is a parameter that measures the number of times air is replaced in a room per hour. This parameter varies for different rooms, and there are standards guiding each room. For example, surgical rooms require 20ACH, while positive and negative pressure rooms require 15 ACH and 12 ACH, respectively.

To calculate ACH, you need to measure the total airflow in the room in cubic feet per minute (cfm) using an anemometer and the room’s volume in cubic feet. Then, the formula  below is used:

Air Changes Per Hour = Room CFM x 60 ÷ Room Volume in Cubic Feet

What to look for when buying a Negative Pressure Room?

Brand

Since you are dealing with infectious diseases and want to curtail the spread, trusted brands must be your top priority when purchasing a negative pressure room. Some of the leading manufacturers of negative pressure rooms include Omnitec, Biobase, Mecart, and Johnson Controls.

Aside from choosing the best brands, ensure the negative pressure room has the necessary certifications regarding safety and quality like CE and ISO.

Budget

There are numerous models of negative pressure rooms in the market; however, your final choice relies solely on your budget. Therefore, evaluate each model and choose one that matches your budget and gives you value for your money.

Warranty 

Once you’ve chosen a good brand, ensure that such a brand offers good customer support and a warranty for the negative pressure room. Bearing in mind that there should be little or no fault in the negative pressure room as it serves essential purposes, the warranty covers any fault that may occur either during installation or while using the product. Interestingly, negative pressure room vendors like Medwish.com offer overage for potential losses that may arise either during shipment or use.

Payment options

The brand you’re patronizing should offer you various payment options to make your purchase a convenient one. These options include credit cards, West Union, Paypal, MoneyGram, American Express, etc. Also, you should go for a vendor like Medwish.com that provides financing options so you can pay with less burden.

Features

There are different models of negative pressure rooms. Some are permanently installed in the hospital or laboratory facilities, while mobile models serve other locations. Ensure the room is equipped with automated doors, air conditioning, and ventilation systems. Also, ensure the room is sited in a way that doesn't pose a potential risk to the environment.

Medwish.com wholesale price advantage

With Medwish.com, you can get a negative pressure room at wholesale prices for medical appliances and equipment. Additional benefits include insurance, customs clearance, and logistics. These benefits also apply to other medical products at Medwish.com.

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Conclusion

Negative pressure rooms have been of great significance in curtailing the spread of infections, especially during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, it is essential to consider the factors discussed above to help you make the best purchase decision and get value for the funds invested in acquiring the negative pressure room.

If you require a negative pressure room in your facility, Medwish.com offers the best at exciting prices. Also, you can contact Medwish.com for other medical devices and equipment.