Page 49 - policy and procedure infection control

Policies and Procedures on Infection Control

• Clean to dirty air flow;
• Continuous electronic monitoring of room pressure with (audible/visual) alarm
• >12 air changes per hour (ACH) for new or renovation, 6 ACH for existing facilities
• Exhaust to outside or HEPA-filtered if re-circulated.
• Back-up emergency power supply fans, alarms and monitoring systems

3.5.2 Interior of Isolation Rooms
The design, materials and construction of the interior surfaces of an isolation room must
facilitate cleaning and minimize dust collection areas without compromising patient care
and comfort.
Some of the desired elements include
• Continuous impervious flooring such as welded vinyl coved up the wall
• Minimization of horizontal surfaces
• Sealed, monolithic ceiling with sealed access panels
• Windows to the exterior to be locked shut and sealed
• Design considerations should allow for adequate view of the isolated patient, without
health care personnel having to enter the room
• clinical hand wash basin
• Wall-hung toilet pan and basin
• Wall-mounted soap dispensers
• Hand rub dispensers
• Disposable towel holders

• Storage for clean personal protective equipment
• Provision of two-way intercommunication system between the patient’s room and
the nurses’ station
• All building requirements pertaining to isolation facilities should be referred to the
technical guidelines from the planning division for further details

3.5.3 Routine performance monitoring and maintenance
The nursing care plan of the isolated patient must include daily monitoring and
documentation of room and anteroom pressures. When a room is not occupied, room
pressure should be checked monthly.
System performance monitoring of ACH, pressure differentials, filtration efficiencies and
calibration of electronic monitoring devices by engineering staff should be undertaken
every three months. Engineering department should keep a logbook of these activities.

38 Ministry of Health Malaysia