The Function of Isolation Room in Hospital and Conditions that Need It

The isolation room is a room that is specially designed and separated from other patients. It is important to pay attention to isolation facility facilities and infrastructure to control the spread of disease or infection. To enter the isolation room in the hospital can not be arbitrary just like that. There are several procedures that must be followed, both by nurses, doctors, until visitors who want to visit patients.

Preventing Contamination

In general, isolation rooms use negative air pressure to help prevent diseases that can spread through the air, exit the isolation room and infect other people. Thus, no air will come out of the isolation room and contaminate the outside air. Isolation rooms can also be used otherwise. When someone has a weak immune system, the isolation room uses positive air pressure by filtering the air clean, then pumping it into the room continuously. This makes the air entering the isolation room remain sterile and not contaminated.

Conditions that Require Isolation Space

Here are some diseases that can be recommended to be treated in isolation:

• Diarrhea and vomiting
• Chicken pox
• Tuberculosis
• Meningitis
• Clostridium difficile infection
• Multi-drug resistant organisms (MDRO) infections
• Diseases suffered after traveling from endemic areas
• Diseases that cause a decrease in endurance
• Unknown cause

In certain conditions, there are patients who are required to occupy an isolation room alone and some are placed together with other patients. Usually patients who occupy an isolation room with other patients are those who have the same disease.

Special Rules Isolation Room in the Hospital

Each hospital has a different procedure for visitors who want to visit patients in the isolation room. Some are allowed, but some are not allowed. For nurses, doctors, or visitors who want to enter the isolation room, there are certain procedures that must be done first before entering the room, namely:

• Wash your hands properly.
• The door must be closed immediately after entering or exiting the room.
• If needed, you can wear gloves, masks and special clothes.
• If you are suffering from flu or other diseases that are vulnerable to contracting or susceptible to infection, you are not allowed to enter the isolation room

Visitors must also follow the instructions and other policies that apply in hospitals, such as visiting hours. Generally, children are not allowed to enter isolation rooms. Isolation rooms must be made according to applicable building planning standards, as a means of infection control. This is very important to be applied as a hospital effort in handling patients well, and preventing the spread of disease.