Special ventilated isolation facilities for patients in acute settings (HBN 04-01 Supp 1)

This is the replacement for the archived Scottish Health Planning Note (SHPN) 4 In-patient Accommodation Supplement 1: Isolation Facilities in Acute Settings. Following initial risk assessment, elements of this guidance document are undergoing further review by NHS Scotland Assure. Therefore, it is recommended prior to application of this guidance for new build or retrofits isolation facilities contact NHS Scotland Assure Enquires to confirm applicability of this guidance document for any Scottish project.

Special ventilated isolation suites utilise the supply and extract of air to create pressure differentials and move the air in a known direction, thus providing the desired degree of protection between neighbouring spaces from airborne pathogens and contaminants. The volume of air passing through will dilute airborne contaminants arising from the occupant and those who enter the isolation suite.

In this revision, special ventilated isolation facilities consist of the patient’s bedroom, lobby and en-suite. Three possible modes of isolation from airborne pathogens or contaminants are covered:

a. source isolation in a negative pressure suite: patients and staff elsewhere in the hospital do not become exposed to harmful airborne pathogens or contaminants shed by the room occupant.

b. protective isolation in a positive pressure suite: a patient occupying the room is protected from being exposed to harmful airborne pathogens or contaminants from elsewhere in the hospital or from the outside air.

c. combined source and protective isolation in a positive pressure ventilated lobby (PPVL) suite: both the patient in the room and other patients and staff outside of the room are protected from harmful airborne pathogens or contaminants.

Please click here to see the archived SHPN 4 Supplement 1 version.