• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.25-33
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• 2024

Purpose: As infectious diseases spread, hospitals have converted general wards into negative pressure isolation wards through remodeling. During the conversion process, there were limitations in converting the existing ward into an effective isolation ward due to its existing structure and mechanical system. To minimize these problems, this study proposes some general ward planning methods taking into account effective conversion to an infectious disease ward. Methods: Seven rapid conversion isolation wards have been analyzed in order to check their appropriateness as a negative pressured isolation unit. Then, general ward design planning methods that can minimize problems in rapidly converted negative pressured wards have been derived. Results: If general wards can be efficiently converted into negative pressure isolation wards, many isolation facilities can be secured effectively in a short period of time during a pandemic.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.79-86
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify the effect of Progressive Space Organization (ante-rooms) in Negative Pressured Isolation Unit(NPIU) such as National and Regional Isolation Units in Korea in order to build basic data for the evidence based design of Airborne Infection Isolation Units which should prepare and respond effectively to the public health crisis due to the hazardous airborne infectious disease. Methods: 1) Gas(SF6) test and analysis on the 23 Korean Isolation Units under operation. 2) Assessment of the isolation level of the space components by checking the Gas concentration. 3) Analysis of the Isolation Effectiveness according to Space Organizational levels. Results: 1) The higher segregation level is, the lower Gas(SF6) concentration is. 2) Too many segregations(anterooms) of Isolation Unit are not efficient for the prevention of infectious bacillus spread. For example, 4 level of segregation has similar segregation effect to the 3 level of segregation. Implications: Many anterooms in front of the isolated patient bedroom will guarantee the safe environment against the danger of hazardous airborne nosocomial infection. On the other hand, too many segregations is inefficient, expensive, inconvenient, narrow(unflexible) and so on. This study can be used as basic data for further development of design guidelines of isolation units.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.45-56
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• 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.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.63-72
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to review the material handling system of the Airborne Infection Isolation Hospitals which is the one of the key elements of infection control and to improve the basic data for the planning and design of those facilities. Methods: Research was conducted by literature reviews and case studies for the material handling system of domestic and foreign Isolation hospitals. Results: The result of this study can be summarized into three points. First, a general isolation unit and a high level isolated unit need to be distinguished in terms of efficiency and safety. In particular, it is desirable that a high level isolated unit have to completely separate clean and soiled circulations, and soiled corridor should be installed by those means. By doing this, the medical staff can observe patient rooms and supply clean materials directly in the clean zone without wearing PPE, so that safety and work efficiency can be improved at the same time. Second, for the safe disposal of wastes, it is desirable to install a dedicated sterilizer per ward and sterilize it at least in the ward. In addition, It is desirable to install a central waste treatment room and a dedicated soiled corridor in consideration of the inadequate handling capacity and emergency situation. Third, the characteristics of material flow chart in the negative pressured isolation hospitals and the corresponding material handling system have been presented. Implications: Infection control is very important in safety, but it is necessary to respond to the symptoms of the patient.