--- title: COVID-19 and Negative Pressure Rooms in Hospitals description: When rooms are not properly pressurized (positive pressure rooms or negative pressure rooms), the health of patients and staff are at risk. image: https://www.chthealthcare.com/hubfs/covid-negative-pressure.png --- - [**(800) 438-1152**](tel:8663081651) - [**Login**](https://pro.vitaleyez.com/) [![CHT Healthcare](https://www.chthealthcare.com/hs-fs/hub/479873/file-2389205739-png/Images/cht-logo.png?width=196&name=cht-logo.png "CHT Healthcare")](https://www.chthealthcare.com) [![Schedule Discovery Call](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/479873/b96d36aa-3e9c-41a4-9689-052c59302f8c.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/479873/b96d36aa-3e9c-41a4-9689-052c59302f8c) - [About](https://www.chthealthcare.com/about) - Services - [Inspection, Testing & Maintenance](https://www.chthealthcare.com/medical-gas-inspection-and-testing) - [Vac Wash](https://www.chthealthcare.com/medical-vacuum-system-cleaner) - 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[![](https://www.chthealthcare.com/hubfs/Images/icons/icon-intallation.png)Installation Ensure patient safety, reduce risk, and increase your profitability.](https://www.chthealthcare.com/medical-gas-installation) # COVID-19 and Negative Pressure Rooms in Hospitals Posted by [Jason Di Marco](https://www.chthealthcare.com/blog/author/jason-di-marco) on March 18, 2020 ![Jason Di Marco](https://www.chthealthcare.com/hubfs/Team/2020/jason-dimarco.jpg) [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![covid-negative-pressure](https://www.chthealthcare.com/hs-fs/hubfs/covid-negative-pressure.png?width=1024&name=covid-negative-pressure.png)   In these unprecedented times, it is critical that hospital [ventilation systems](https://www.chthealthcare.com/environmental-monitoring) are in proper working order. The COVID-19 coronavirus has heightened this importance more than ever. Particularly in a hospital setting, certain populations are more vulnerable to airborne infections than others, including immune-compromised patients, newborns and the elderly. Of course, hospital personnel and visitors can also be at risk of contracting airborne diseases as well. ## Are you struggling with Medical Gas Compliance? # CHT offers medical gas services to help you reach your compliance goals. To help you navigate through these challenges, start with a free 30-minute discovery call. [![Get a Quote](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/479873/b96d36aa-3e9c-41a4-9689-052c59302f8c.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/479873/b96d36aa-3e9c-41a4-9689-052c59302f8c) ### **Positive Versus Negative Pressure Rooms** Positive pressure rooms have a higher pressure inside the treated room than that of the neighboring environment. In this way, any airborne particle that originates in the room will be filtered. In contrast, negative pressure rooms have lower air pressure. This traps and keeps potentially harmful particles within the room. ### **Purpose of Negative Pressure Rooms** A negative pressure room in a hospital is used to contain airborne contaminants within the room. Viruses, bacteria, fungi, yeasts, molds, pollens, gases, VOC’s  (volatile organic compounds), small particles and chemicals are part of larger list of airborne pathogens you can find in a hospital. ![640px-Negative_Air_Pressure](https://www.chthealthcare.com/hs-fs/hubfs/640px-Negative_Air_Pressure.png?width=640&name=640px-Negative_Air_Pressure.png) Image credit: By Rrobotto - Own work, [Negative air pressure](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negative_room_pressure#/media/File:Negative_Air_Pressure.png) CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=56580980 Isolation rooms are negatively pressurized with respect to adjacent areas to [prevent airborne contaminants from drifting to other areas](https://www.chthealthcare.com/ventilation-requirements-for-healthy-hospitals/) and contaminating patients, staff and sterile equipment. ### **Rooms to Negatively Pressurize** Rooms that should be negatively pressurized according to the 2018 *FGI Guidelines* ANSI/ASHRAE/ASHE Standard 170-2017 include, but are not limited to:  - Emergency Department Public Waiting Areas - Emergency Department Decontamination - Radiology Waiting Rooms - Triage - Bathrooms - Airborne Infection Isolation (AII) Rooms - Most Laboratory Work Areas - Autopsy Rooms - Soiled Workrooms or Soiled Holding Rooms - Soiled or Decontamination Rooms in Sterile Processing Department - Soiled Linen Sorting and Storage - Janitors’ Closets It is worth noting how many of the areas listed affect not only patients, but also employees and visitors in a hospital setting. Also of note is what is *missing *from the list. General patient rooms, nurseries, x-ray rooms, general examination rooms, and treatment rooms have no requirement of either negative or positive pressure.   This highlights the importance of every individual doing what they can to prevent the spread of viruses and reducing the demand on a hospital’s limited number of isolation rooms. This includes proper hand hygiene, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, and avoiding contact with individuals suspected of being sick. Additionally, social distancing can aid in slowing the transmission of COVID-19 and reduce strain on our healthcare system. ### **Negative Pressure in Isolation Rooms** A negative pressure isolation room is commonly used for patients with airborne infections. Although COVID-19 is currently not considered to be an airborne disease, according to the CDC, a patient known to have contracted the coronavirus can spread it person-to-person. This means between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet), or through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. While not required, many facilities are choosing to place potentially infected COVID-19 patients in isolation rooms when resources allow. ### **Positive Pressure Rooms** Positive pressure can be used in rooms adjacent to a negative pressure room. This means that the air pressure inside a positive pressure room is greater than the pressure outside of it which is achieved by pumping in filtered, clean air. The purpose of positive pressure is to ensure that airborne pathogens do not contaminate the patient or supplies in that room. For example, positive pressure could be used in an operating room to protect the patient and sterile medical and surgical supplies. Positively pressured rooms are typically considered the cleanest rooms in the hospital.  ### **Unbalanced Pressure Checklist** To prevent unbalanced pressure, routine checks should be made. Here's a short list of where you should start... - Monitor the supply and exhaust rates for the room. - Check that supply and exhaust fans are operating properly. - Check for blockages of supply diffusers and return grilles within the room; occupants may block them in an effort to improve their thermal comfort. - Check performance of fume hoods and biological safety cabinets within the room and in adja­cent rooms.  Poor performance of these units affects air balance within nearby rooms. - [Monitor all pressure systems](https://www.chthealthcare.com/environmental-monitoring) after any renovation.  Renovations may alter the HVAC system in a manner that impacts the air balance among nearby rooms. ### **Creating Negatively and Positively Pressured Rooms** Most hospital HVAC duct systems can be reworked to accommodate special air pressures in fixed rooms. Since it can be expensive to remodel to create negatively and positively pressured rooms here are a couple germ fighting options. The first approach is killing the pathogens, which requires a relatively high dose of ultraviolet (UV) radiation installed into HVAC systems, but the cost of this is considerable. The other option is a commercial one. [NQ Industries Inc.](http://www.nqinc.com/) has developed products for medical application in contaminated environments including mobile Ultraviolet-HEPA-Carbon-Photocatalysis air purification systems. ### **Conclusion** When rooms are not properly pressurized (negative or positive), airborne contaminants can escape putting the health of patients, staff, and visitors at risk. This has never been more important than right now. No matter what system is used, the need for properly functioning negative and positive pressurized rooms in the hospital is well documented. Together, we can navigate these trying times and provide positive patient outcomes. CHT offers medical gas services to help you reach your compliance goals. To help you navigate through these challenges, we offer a free 30-minute discovery call. [![Get a Quote](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/479873/b96d36aa-3e9c-41a4-9689-052c59302f8c.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/479873/b96d36aa-3e9c-41a4-9689-052c59302f8c) ![ventilation-requirements](https://www.chthealthcare.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ventilation-requirements-for-healthy-hospitals.png?width=221&name=ventilation-requirements-for-healthy-hospitals.png)  ### **Bonus Content: Download Our Free PDF Ventilation and Testing Requirements** Get the PDF version that you can save to your desktop and read it when it's convenient for you. *(No email required):* [![Yes! Give me my PDF](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/479873/fe45c945-e89a-4159-b8be-53164b398cc3.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/479873/fe45c945-e89a-4159-b8be-53164b398cc3)   Topics: [Environmental Monitoring](https://www.chthealthcare.com/blog/topic/environmental-monitoring), [Medical Gas Compliance](https://www.chthealthcare.com/blog/topic/medical-gas-compliance) Author ![Jason Di Marco](https://www.chthealthcare.com/hubfs/Team/2020/jason-dimarco.jpg) ### [Jason Di Marco](https://www.chthealthcare.com/blog/author/jason-di-marco) President and CEO at Compliant Healthcare Technologies, LLC Jason Di Marco has been intimately involved with helping hospitals protect and improve their medical piped gas systems from CHT's beginnings. He is certified by ASSE, NITC, and NFPA as an inspector and installer and has worked with major institutions from construction to risk assessment planning. ### Subscribe Here! ### About - [About](https://www.chthealthcare.com/about) - [Careers](https://www.chthealthcare.com/careers) - [Blog](https://www.chthealthcare.com/blog) ### Services - [Medical Gas Inspection & Testing and Maintenance](https://www.chthealthcare.com/medical-gas-inspection-and-testing) - [Medical Vac Wash](https://www.chthealthcare.com/medical-vacuum-system-cleaner) - [Environmental Monitoring](https://www.chthealthcare.com/environmental-monitoring) - [Medical Gas Installation](https://www.chthealthcare.com/medical-gas-installation) ### Contact - [Contact](https://www.chthealthcare.com/contact) - [Login](https://pro.vitaleyez.com/) ### Location Compliant Healthcare Technologies 6779 Engle Road STE A-B Middleburg Heights, OH 44130 [![linkedin](https://www.chthealthcare.com/hubfs/Images/icons/icon_li-1-1.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/1959331) [![twitter](https://www.chthealthcare.com/hubfs/Images/icons/icon_twitter_x.png)](https://twitter.com/CHTHealthcare) [![facebook](https://www.chthealthcare.com/hubfs/Images/icons/icon_fb-1-1.png)](https://www.facebook.com/pages/Compliant-Healthcare-Technologies-LLC/375330609209299) (800) 438-1152 | [Privacy Policy](https://www.iubenda.com/privacy-policy/93187285) |  [Cookie Policy](https://www.iubenda.com/privacy-policy/93187285/cookie-policy) |  © 2026 Compliant Healthcare Technologies, LLC. 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