• 의료ㆍ복지 건축 : 한국의료복지건축학회 논문집
• /
• 제28권4호
• /
• pp.61-69
• /
• 2022

Purpose: In response to the rapid spread of COVID-19 in 2020, the government supported facilities and equipment through the 'Urgent Isolation Ward Expansion Project'. Design and remodeling of efficient negative pressure isolation facilities had to be done in a short period of time, and the performance gap between facilities was very large because the types of hospitals and wards of existing medical facilities were diverse. In order to secure the stability of isolation wards between medical facilities and reduce the facility gap, guidelines for planning isolation wards considering the diversity of each hospital should be appropriately presented. In consideration of these points, this study aims to provide basic data for future remodeling guidelines for each plan type of the negative pressure isolation ward first. Methods: We analyzed the plans before and after the change of 13 case hospitals that performed the urgent care bed expansion project for COVID-19 confirmed patients. Before the remodeling, the current status of the facility was analyzed according to the type of corridor, the location of the nursing station, and the location of the elevator. After remodeling, the flow of medical staff and patients, the flow of entry and exit of clean and contaminated items, and the space of negative pressure and non-negative pressure areas. Results: The ward type was divided into three types according to the corridor type and room arrangement: double loaded corridor type with two side wards, race track type with one side ward, and race track type with two side wards. Based on these three types, the standard floor plan type of the isolation ward was proposed in terms of the location of the elevator bank and Nurse station. Implications: When the existing general ward is converted into a negative pressure isolation ward, this study can be a basic data to present customized guidelines for each ward type.

• 의료ㆍ복지 건축 : 한국의료복지건축학회 논문집
• /
• 제27권3호
• /
• pp.39-49
• /
• 2021

Purpose: The negative pressure isolation ward is a key facility in preparedness and response to infectious diseases. For the sustainable operation of the facility, appropriate facility improvement is required. The experience of medical staff responding to infectious diseases in the COVID-19 pandemic provides effective informations for facility planning. Methods: The post occupancy evaluation (POE) was conducted by interviewing medical staff who is working on Nationally designated negative pressure isolation ward in general hospital. Floor plan analysis was conducted before field surveys for identifying facility characteristic and spatial composition. After that, field surveys were conducted at 3 hospitals, and interviews and fieldwork were conducted together. Results: It is necessary to increase the standard size of ward area from 15m² to 20m². The size of the doffing room has to be planned for accommodation of two or more people. Equipment storage, clean storage and waste storage also should be properly planned. There were almost no problems with the circulation in the ward. There was not enough space for medical staff. Implications: For a sustainable and safe negative pressure isolation ward planning, it is necessary to exploit learning from the medical staffs who have many experiences of coping with infectious diseases.

• 의료ㆍ복지 건축 : 한국의료복지건축학회 논문집
• /
• 제29권4호
• /
• pp.29-35
• /
• 2023

Purpose: The 2015 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak and the recent COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted the lack of negative pressure isolation rooms and the fragility of the healthcare system. The need for healthcare facility transformation for respiratory infectious diseases has become more prominent due to COVID-19, and the purpose of this study is to provide a foundation for the rapid, economical, and safe construction of negative pressure isolation wards. Methods: This study analyzes the current status of hospitals that have been converted to negative pressure isolation rooms, and provides architectural plans and examples to provide a reference for bedroom change. Research data of this study have been obtained by analyzing the drawings of negative pressure isolation wards of nationally designated inpatient treatment beds and urgent isolation beds. In addition, the relevant literature of urgent isolation beds has been analyzed to derive bedroom change type. Result: In this study, a total of 21 isolation bed conversion methods have been presented. Implications: In order to change efficiently from a general ward to an isolation ward, it is necessary to consider the actual hospital's infectious disease transmission patterns and facility conditions.

• 의료ㆍ복지 건축 : 한국의료복지건축학회 논문집
• /
• 제28권4호
• /
• pp.89-97
• /
• 2022

Purpose: Because of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, there have been many cases of using portable negative pressure unit to convert general wards into temporary negative pressure isolation wards. The purpose of this study is to analyze the indoor environment of the switching type wards. Methods: Field measurements and experiments were conducted in a medical facility. Air volume, wind speed and pressure difference were measured in non-occupant state. Dispersion tests were performed with gas and particle matter. Results: The pressure difference between the wards and the corridor was higher than -2.5 Pa in normal situation. However, in the gas and particle dispersion tests, it was found that there were concerns about the spread through leakages in low-airtight walls or ceilings. In addition, it was confirmed that the pressure imbalance in ducts through the non-sealed diffusers could cause back flow during portable unit operation. Furthermore, when there was a pressure difference between adjacent wards planned to be at same pressure level, the possibility of the spread through the leakages was found. Implications: When using portable units for making switching type wards, it is necessary to create airtight space and seal the non-operation diffusers. In case of operating the air handling unit, T.A.B must be performed to adjust the duct balancing.

• 중환자간호학회지
• /
• 제15권1호
• /
• pp.35-46
• /
• 2022

Purpose : This study aimed to identify the factors affecting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection control practices of nurses in negative pressure isolation rooms. Methods : The participants were 150 nurses working in three hospitals with negative pressure isolation rooms. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using an independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffé test, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis using the SPSS/WIN 26.0 program. Results : Factors significantly influencing the subject's COVID-19 infection control practice include Being married (𝛽=.18, p =.016), working in a ward with negative pressure isolation rooms (𝛽=.44, p <.001), working in an ICU with negative pressure isolation rooms (𝛽=.27, p =.010), COVID-19 infection control attitude (𝛽=.28, p =.001), anxiety for COVID-19 (𝛽=.30, p <.001). The explanatory power of these variables for COVID-19 infection control practice was 24.6% (F=8.67, p <.001). Conclusion : It is expected that strategies that utilize positive attitudes which believe that COVID-19 disease may be overcome by COVID-19 infection control practice will help improve emerging infectious diseases infection control practice.

• 의료ㆍ복지 건축 : 한국의료복지건축학회 논문집
• /
• 제22권3호
• /
• pp.45-56
• /
• 2016

Purpose: The MERS(Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) outbreaks in Korea highlighted dramatically the failings of traditional hospital environment for controlling or preventing infections among both patients and healthcare workers. MERS is transmitted by droplets that can be airborne over a limited area. The point should be emphasized that MERS in South Korea was predominantly a hospital-acquired (not a community-acquired) infection, because approximately 93% of MERS cases were resulted from exposure in hospital settings. This paper tries to suggest the design guidelines of negative pressured isolation ward for the sake of proper control of severe respiratory infectious diseases. Methods: Literature survey on the design guideline and regulations of airborne infection wards in Korea, Europe U.K. and CDC of U.S. have been carries out. 4 special infection wards in Hongkong, Germany, Japan and Korea have been surveyed in order to make the best use of the experiences related to facility design and operations. Results: Operating system influencing the facility design, space organizations of infectious ward including required space and zoning, and circulations of patients, staffs and materials are proposed. Implications: The results of this paper can be the basic data for the design of the airborne infection ward and relevant regulations. Afterwards in-depth study such as the development of space standards for the single bedroom, locker room and so on could be explored.

• 의료ㆍ복지 건축 : 한국의료복지건축학회 논문집
• /
• 제28권4호
• /
• pp.51-60
• /
• 2022

Purpose: This study aims to analyze and supplement the standards related to healthcare facilities, negative pressure isolation wards, and emergency treatment facilities. In addition, through environmental investigations, analysis of emergency remodeling cases centered on the structural and HVAC characteristics of healthcare facilities is conducted. Methods: Domestic and foreign standards related to healthcare facilities were analyzed. Field investigations and architectural drawing analysis of general and emergency treatment facilities were conducted. Results: Healthcare facilities have different space classifications and air conditioning methods depending on the site situation. Emergency treatment facilities are classified into cases where the HVAC system is remodeled and portable negative pressure unit is installed, and some facilities did not meet the standards for differential pressure and air change rate. Implications: When developing emergency remodeling technology, remodeling and safety evaluation guidelines, it is considered possible to propose clearer guidelines for emergency remodeling treatment facilities for infectious diseases in Korea by referring to the results of this study.

• 의료ㆍ복지 건축 : 한국의료복지건축학회 논문집
• /
• 제29권1호
• /
• pp.43-51
• /
• 2023

Purpose: To accommodate the increasing number of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous portable HEPA filter units (PHUs) were installed in the general wards of existing medical facilities(EMFs) to convert them into emergency conversion facilities (ECFs). The purpose of this study was to build a dataset in preparation for emerging infectious diseases in the post-COVID-19 era by analyzing the construction and operation of ECFs. Methods: Field investigations were conducted during ECF operation periods based on the analysis of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HAVC) system design documents for six ECFs across Korea. Interviews were conducted with facility managers during the field investigations. Results: When constructing an ECF within an EMF, the installation status and characteristics of the existing system should be considered. Field investigations and verifications of the operation of HAVC systems must be conducted beforehand for smooth ECF operations. If heating and cooling are required with indoor air circulation type equipment in an ECF zone, the implementation of a heating and cooling method that can satisfy the comfort requirements of the occupants while minimizing cross-contamination is essential. When using PHUs that do not meet the performance standards required by medical equipment, the noise level resulting from such equipment operation must be evaluated and improved. Implications: For EMFs, various guidelines that can be referred to for the construction and operation of ECFs must be developed to prepare for emerging infectious diseases in the future.