Focus: Infection Control

Study: Isolation room pressure key to limiting spread of airborne germs

A high air-change rate in AIIRs does not ensure efficient removal of infectious agents


Maintaining a high negative pressure in airborne infection isolation rooms (AIIR) of hospitals can help limit the dispersion of airborne contaminants and dust, according to an article on the Becker's Clinical Quality and Infection Control website.

A study in Annals of Work Exposures and Health found a high air-change rate in AIIRs does not ensure efficient removal of infectious agents in the breathing zone of a healthcare worker. 

The researchers found the local airflow patterns are more important. 

A high mean negative pressure between an AIIR and its surroundings was found to effectively curb particle transmission outside an AIIR.

Read the article.

 



January 2, 2019


Topic Area: Infection Control


Recent Posts

The Difference Between Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting

Cleaning methods and products have various purposes in reducing the spread of germs.


Jupiter Medical Center Falls Victim to Third-Party Data Breach

The third party has determined through an investigation that, at least as early as January 22, 2025, an unauthorized third party gained access to personal health information on legacy systems.


Sarasota Memorial Health Care System Moves Forward on $1B in Capital Projects

The system recently began laying foundations at its new, $507 million hospital in North Port, and has several other expansion projects under way.


UCI Health Set to Open First All-Electric Hospital

All-electric acute care hospital aims to help University of California’s goal of reducing 90 percent of total carbon emissions by 2045.


Ground Broken on Baptist Health Sunrise Hospital

The planned seven-story, 340,000-square-foot facility is expected to open to patients in 2029.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.