|
Please
feel free to download our whole catalog so you can print
this out and have your own personal copy. Click download to
begin downloading a copy of our products catalog.
Isolation Room Equipment/Room Pressure Monitors/Negative Room Pressure and Positive Room Pressure/Pressure Sensor
The CDC Guidelines require that Isolation rooms occupied by TB patients have differential pressure
monitored daily by a differential pressure measuring device. The Biological Controls’ ACCUSTAT® is a
room pressure monitoring device that measures differential pressure between a controlled space and
a referenced space. Pressure measurement for a variable volume air supply and exhaust
systems is critical for the conservation of energy and the air purification system, as well.
US Center for Disease Control over a decade ago has required hospitals and health care facilities to
house patients with infections which potentially could spread through the air in negative pressure
rooms. Hospitals and all other health related organizations require positive pressure for surgical
suites and areas with immune-compromised patients to limit the chances of airborne infection
spreading through the facility. Biological Controls ACCUSTAT® Room Pressure Monitor accurately
measures the actual room pressure differential, verifying the proper operation of your HVAC or your air
purification system to help you maintain patient safety.
CDC Guidelines were established and requirements so that a successful project to develop a
new Isolation Room in any institution should include early involvement of the nursing staff who will
manage the room, the Infection Control Department, and the maintenance staff as well as the
architect who will design the space. In many cases hospital and health care facilities convert and
existing room into an isolation room, within the facilities as the need arises. Thus creating the need for
a Room Pressure Monitor for negative and positive pressure, Hospital Isolation Room Equipment.
Important Engineering Features for Negative Pressure Rooms and
Positive Pressure Rooms:
The room airflow should be a minimum of 12 air changes per hour. The CDC Guidelines do not
specify if the airflow or exhaust airflow should equal 12 air changes per hour, but making the supply
airflow equal to 12 air changes per hour is the most conservative approach. They do specify that the
exhaust airflow volume should exceed the supply airflow volume by 10% or 50 CFM, whichever is
greater, to maintain a negative pressure within the room with respect to surrounding areas. The
negative pressure will cause an inward flow of air into the Isolation Room when the doors are opened,
preventing the migration of airborne pathogens to the surrounding areas. The effectiveness of the 12
air changes standard has not been proven with regard to minimizing TB bacteria in a room; however,
actual experiments have proven that increasing airflow rates in hospitals does show a reduction in
total bacteria counts in the air.
The ACCUSTAT® pressure sensor, sensing through pressure the static differential between the two referenced spaces. If variable volume is used, it is imperative that accurate, reliable controls be used to sense the
pressure differential between the patient room and the surroundings and adjust the air purification/ exhaust system to maintain the desired pressure differential. The CDC Guidelines specify a
minimum pressure differential of 0.001 inches w.g. (water gauge). Which can be accomplished
utilizing the ACCUSTAT® Room Pressure Monitor.
ACCUSTAT® Room Pressure Sensor is CDC compliant in providing a visible and/or audible alarm when low air pressure is
sensed, while incorporating a time delay, to allow persons to enter or leave the room
without activating the signal. If an anteroom is provided with the Isolation Room, the guidelines require
that the Isolation Room be maintained at negative pressure with respect to the anteroom. The
pressure relationship between the anteroom and the corridor is that the anteroom should be slightly negative to the corridor and is measured utilizing a probe tube.
The Isolation Room should be well sealed from the surroundings to help maintain the pressure
differentials. Penetrations through walls must be sealed and drywall ceiling should be used or drop
ceiling tiles that are impervious to air. Swinging doors are easier than sliding doors.
Aspergillus Control (MOLD)
While the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) has long required
the operation and maintenance of building systems to address infection control issues, an increased
national focus on patient safety has recently prompted it to add more specific requirements to the
Environment of Care, EC.1.9
Specifically, beginning January 1, 2001, the utility systems management program must “reduce the
potential for organized-acquired illness,” and maintain “appropriate pressure relationship, air
exchange rates, and filtration efficiencies for ventilation systems serving areas specifically
designed to control airborne contaminants,” such as dust and biological agents. JCAHO will focus
additional attention on precautions taken to protect high risk patients. Subsequently more
health care facilities and hospitals will find greater need to create negative air pressure Isolation
Rooms and the need to monitor room pressure. Biological Controls Room Pressure Monitors Sensor Isolation Room Equipment comes with a complete two year warranty and customer support.
Despite the risk analysis, however, always ensure that proper air pressure relationships in an area
with high risk patients. Develop protocols to ensure that proper ventilation rates are maintained
annually.
Limiting the spread of disease through a health care facility, patients suspected of having
diseases will spread through the air and must be placed in negative pressure rooms, airborne
infection Isolation Rooms. Similarly, immune-compromised patients at risk of contracting diseases
should stay in positive pressure, protective environment rooms. Biological Controls' room pressure monitors continuously controls room pressure, by monitoring differential to comply with standards from the CDC Centers for Disease Control and AIA American Institute of Architects.
Features and Benefits of ACCUSTAT® Room Pressure Monitor for
Negative & Positive Pressure Rooms
• Creates a complaint, controlled and safe environment
• Highly sensitive pressure transducer eliminating the varying inconsistencies of “airflow”
monitors
• CDC Complaint providing visual, audible and alarm signals
• Large lighted digital readout identifies subfractional pressure changes within .001” WG
• Continuously measurements monitoring of actual room pressure differential
• Temperature compensation for consistent performance within specified temperature ranges
• Three models Stationary, Business Management System and Portable (multiple locations)
• Portable Unit preferred by facilities using mobile equipment (Click here for MICROCON® The
Mobile Hospital Air Purification System) room to room set up temporary or short term negative or
positive pressure environments. (Click here for Isoport our Portable Isolation Room Enclosure)
• Remote Monitoring up to six rooms
• Pressure sensor sensing through pressure the static differential between the two referenced spaces.
Room Pressure Monitors for Clean Rooms
Most significant concern is contamination control and is of utmost importance in a clean room.
High air change rates and laminar airflow are two of the methods used to keep impurities away from
crucial yield. Measures can become ineffective if the clean room pressure differential should go
negative, sucking in contaminants. ACCUSTAT® clean room pressure monitors sensor constantly measure the
room pressure differential, signaling if the space goes negative so appropriate action can be taken.
Toll Free: 800-224-9768
Email us
Back to Top
|
