Implementing a negative pressure isolation space within a skilled nursing facility to control SARS-CoV-2 transmission.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Isolation space must be expanded during pandemics involving airborne transmission. Little to no work has been done to establish optimal design strategies and implementation plans to ease surge capacity and expand isolation capacity over long periods in congregate living facilities. The COVID-19 pandemic has an airborne transmission component and requires isolation, which is difficult to accomplish in skilled nursing facilities.

Methods

In this study we designed, implemented, and validated an isolation space at a skilled nursing facility in Lancaster, PA. The overall goal was to minimize disease transmission between residents and staff within the facility. We created an isolation space by modifying an existing HVAC system of the SNF. We measured pressure on-site an

SUBMITTER: Miller SL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7532347 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature