Strategies for implementation of environmental controls to prevent the spread of tuberculosis in health-care settings

Abstract

The nosocomial transmission of tuberculosis is a serious occupational health problem. An effective prevention of this disease includes environmental measures to avoid its dissemination and to reduce the amount of droplet nuclei in the air. It is a descriptive study that aimed to describe the necessary structure for the implementation of an isolation room with negative air pressure for patients with tuberculosis. The units were projected with HVAC system with temperature control at 22 ± 2ºC, air recirculation system, HEPA filters, twenty two air changes per hour and negative air pressure. After repairs and the implementation of the environmental control the functioning of the respiratory isolation was monitored for 12 months. In the event of the negative air pressure becoming neutral the manometers in the room would display the filters saturation level and the need for their replacement. Soon after that the negative air pressure could be restarted. The isolation unit implementation required an investment of US$ 75,000.00 being the monthly repair cost US$ 550.00. The respiratory isolation unit requires specific management strategies so as to ensure the protection of healthcare workers and patients.