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Evaluation of a Room for Tuberculosis Patient Isolation Using Theatrical Fog

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Edward L. Gershey ,
James Reiman ,
William Wood  and
Esmeralda Party
Edward L. Gershey
Affiliation:
The Rockefeller University, New York City, New York
James Reiman
Affiliation:
Laboratory Safety Services Inc, Butler, New Jersey
William Wood
Affiliation:
Laboratory Safety Services Inc, Butler, New Jersey
Esmeralda Party*
Affiliation:
The Rockefeller University, New York City, New York
*
The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY 10021
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Abstract

Objective:

To develop a method to evaluate directional airflow patterns, air dilution, and air mixing in facilities where tuberculosis patients are seen.

Design:

A tuberculosis patient isolation room was evaluated by analyzing pressure differential between the room and the corridor and by using theatrical fog to visualize room air movement and impact of dilution and exchange, as well as air capture and displacement. Tracer gas was compared to fog results and used to calculate air exchange rates.

Setting:

A small research hospital.

Results:

By adding theatrical fog to the patient room at several locations, we quickly learned that most of the air entering the room through the transom and around the door to the corridor was exhausted through the three exhaust vents. Little air appeared to move toward the exhaust fan.

For comparison and to confirm the room air exchange rate, tracer gas was distributed and sampled. The kinetics of decay were very similar whether the tracer gas and room air were mixed during sampling or not.

Conclusions:

The fog procedure allowed good visual confirmation of air mixing and airflow patterns and provided quantitative data for evaluating the efficacy of air capture and displacement or dilution and exchange

Type
Original Articles
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 19 , Issue 10 , October 1998 , pp. 760 - 766
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1998

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