DescriptionThe 1 Bed Room - Isolation, Negative Pressure (N-Class) provides space and amenities for accommodating one patient requiring respiratory isolation to prevent the transmission of infection, and supporting the delivery of clinical care and treatment. This Standard Component is used in conjunction with the Anteroom (ANTE) and Ensuite - Nested (ENS-NE), and the anteroom, ensuite and bedroom should be planned as a unit.Hours of Operation24 hoursOccupancy1 patient; 1-2 visitors; 1-2 staff intermittently (with up to 4 additional staff as required)Additional Considerations~ Air distribution systems must provide highly effective ventilation to promote containment. Patient comfort must also be a primary consideration (i.e. room temperature, humidity, noise and air flow). The ventilation system should be designed to ensure the air flows from less contaminated areas to more contaminated areas and supply air should be provided so that air turbulence is minimised near the patient. The exhaust air flow however should be maximised near the patient to capture contaminated air.
~ It is no longer recommended that exhaust is indicated at a low level behind the bed, and it is best located over the patient on the ceiling. Locating the exhaust on the ceiling above the patient at the head of the bed with the supply air diffuser located on the ceiling close to the wall at the foot of the bed (with air directed to the walls and away from the door rather than directed towards the patient) has been shown through Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis to be effective in capturing aerosols rising from a patient. Refer to 'AusHFG Isolation Rooms - Design and Engineering Requirements' and 'Part D: infection Prevention and Control'.
- The recommended supply and exhaust locations indicated in this Standard Component are based on expert mechanical engineering advice and evidence established through CFD studies. It is acknowledged that this does not align with that suggested in AS1668.2 2024'. It is recommended that designers seek updated advice in line with the evidence noted in this guideline and pursue a performance solution where required.
~ An interlock system has been indicated to the anteroom, requiring one door to be closed before the next door is able to be opened. This reduces the potential for escape of infectious respiratory particles. This should not impact staff workflows given the time required to don or doff PPE. An emergency break glass release switch is provided to mitigate the risk of staff being entrapped within the anteroom.
~ Spatial allowances accommodate equipment and staff working at either side of the bed, however it is assumed that nursing care will predominately occur at the side of the bed closest to the entry door. The arrangement of the medical services panel reflects this assumption. Clearances for use of mobile patient lifting equipment must be considered on both sides of the patient bed. It is recommended that a minimum of 1100mm clear is provided to both sides of the patient bed.
~ This room may be utilised as a standard pressure (S-Class) isolation room. On these occasions, provision of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, masks, face shields, gowns, etc. will be required close to the entry of the room. Proximity to existing PPE bays, provision of clear area for parking a PPE trolley or the ability to temporarily hang additional PPE holders on the wall adjacent to the door should be considered during planning. A document frame to hold isolation precaution signage when it is needed may be attached to the wall or door to alert staff to isolation precaution requirements. For additional information on standard pressure (S-Class) rooms, as well considerations and requirements for positive pressure (P-Class) and negative pressure (N-Class) rooms, refer to 'AusHFG Isolation Rooms - Design and Engineering Requirements' and 'Part D: infection Prevention and Control'.
~ Alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) may be provided in a wall mounted dispenser or in a holder that can be attached to the end of the patient bed. The location of ABHR is to be confirmed at project level to support staff to comply with the ‘5 Moments of Hand Hygiene’ practices and local IPC policies.
~ The handwashing basin is to be located at least 1.2m from patient beds; refer to Part D Section 4.1.2-5 for more information. Clear access for bed movement must also be considered when determining basin location.
~ The content and configuration of the medical services panel (MSP), including type and quantity of medical gases, power and data, will be dependent on clinical service requirements and is to be confirmed at project level. This includes confirming any increase/change in services where this Standard Component is used in specific clinical settings and/or high acuity settings.
~ Access to natural light and outlook is essential; patients are to have access to an external outlook from either the bed or the chair, preferably both.
~ Requirements for staff notetaking/write-up at the bedside, including use of electronic medical records, are to be confirmed at project level to suit clinical service requirements and local ICT policies. This may include the use of workstations on wheels (WOWs) that are kept with staff members and require parking areas and charging facilities in central locations within the unit, or provision of fixed wall mounted computers in each bedroom, requiring tap-on login capability. Facilities with paper-based medical record systems or hybrid paper/digital systems may require provision of a document holder within the bedroom (typically hung on the end of the bed) or just outside the bedroom to hold patient records.
~ Additional ICT requirements within high acuity settings or in remote facilities (e.g. for patient monitoring, virtual patient consultation/monitoring, etc.) are to be confirmed at project level to suit clinical service requirements. Where a patient monitor is provided, appropriate structural support in the wall/bedhead joinery is required for mounting the monitor.
~ Mobile duress coverage is to be assessed and planned at a department level and coverage of all patient areas is to suit local security and WHS policies and operational service requirements.
~ A patient lifting track is shown as optional in this Standard Component. Provision of a lifting track, and the type and quantity of bedrooms they are provided in, is to be confirmed at project level to suit clinical service requirements and local WHS policies for patient handling. Configuration (fixed track or traverse track), installation (ceiling mounted or recessed), weight rating/safe working load (SWL) requirements, and extent (i.e. for bed to chair/wheelchair/commode transfer only, full room coverage, full transfer to ensuite, etc.) must also be considered and confirmed by project teams. Selected equipment is to meet local IP&C policies and cleaning requirements. Charging and storage of patient lifter cassette motors is to be confirmed at project level. Cassette motors may be stored within the patient room, or a small number of cassette motors may be shared between multiple rooms that have patient lifer tracks and are predominantly stored in a central equipment store. Requirements for charging and storage within the patient bedroom are dependent on operational models and product specifications/operating requirements.
~ A wall mounted sharps bin is indicated in this Standard Component. Depending on clinical service requirements and local waste management policies, sharps bins may alternatively be trolley or cart mounted and brought in as required for treatment.
~ Provision of kits/bags containing emergency airway equipment/consumables and associated storage methods (e.g. hook, basket, etc.) is to be confirmed at project level to suit clinical service requirements.
~ Patient property storage facilities, including provision and configuration of a wardrobe and configuration of the bedside locker, are to be confirmed at project level to suit operational models and clinical service requirements, including considerations for anticipated length of stay.
~ This Standard Component shows the entry door swinging outwards into the corridor into a niche created by the arrangement of the bedroom with an inboard ensuite. An inward swinging door is also acceptable.
~ The extent of glazing provided to the door (i.e. size of the vision panel) is to be confirmed at project level based on clinical service requirements for patient observation, balanced with patient privacy requirements. Paediatric, maternity and other settings where small children are regularly patients/visitors may consider lowering the bottom of the vision panel to support visibility of children behind the door before opening. Provision of integral blinds to door glazing may be considered, however, this must be assessed in relation to other workflows, e.g. use of mobile imaging equipment through glazing of observation panels for infectious patients under standard isolation precautions, where an integral blind could interfere.
~ Provision of an additional power outlet located on the wall at the foot of the bed for mobile equipment (e.g. mobile x-ray machines) or fall detection monitoring devices is to be confirmed at project level to suit clinical service requirements.
~ Patient entertainment systems may be mounted on the wall, ceiling or bedhead. Configuration of the patient entertainment system (type, size, mounting and location) is to be confirmed at project level to suit local ICT policies and operational models. Services (power, data and/or AV connection) are to be confirmed to suit selected systems. Appropriate structural support in the wall, ceiling or bedhead joinery is required for mounting the patient entertainment system.
~ Nurse call indicator lights are noted to be located in the corridor outside the bedroom door, location to ensure clear line of sight along paths of travel.
~ The type, materiality and cleaning requirements of window coverings to external windows is to be confirmed at project level to suit local infection prevention and control (IPC) policies and risk assessment. Refer to Part D Section 6.4 for more information.
~ Notes applied to floor finish ratings relate to AS4586 and associated HB198 requirements. Compliance with current regulations must be verified by project teams on each project.