Finding the Optimal Layout for Hospital Isolation Rooms
Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, hospital administrators must grapple with how to best arrange the available isolation rooms for optimal safety. A new study published in the journal PLOS ONE provides an answer. Researchers developed a mathematical model to optimize the layout of a hospital’s isolation rooms.
The study found that an optimal layout of hospital isolation rooms requires two zones: a core zone and a peripheral zone. The core zone should contain the majority of the hospital’s isolation rooms, while the peripheral zone should contain a few additional isolation rooms as well as an anteroom and a corridor. The anteroom and corridor provide a buffer between the core and peripheral zones, minimizing the risk of cross-contamination. The researchers also found that spacing the isolation rooms at least three meters apart further reduced the risk of cross-contamination.
These results provide valuable insight for hospital administrators looking to ensure the safety of their patients and staff. With an optimal layout of isolation rooms, hospitals can reduce the risk of cross-contamination and better protect those in their care.
source: Phys.org