5.7.1.2 Formerly, isolation rooms could be designed for alternate use as
negative or positive. This is no longer permitted by the CDC (Center for
Disease Control), so isolation rooms must be specifically designated as
negative or positive, and so designed. This requires that the proposed use
for each one be specified at the time of design by appropriate medical center
authority.
5.7.2 NEGATIVE ISOLATION FOR TUBERCULOSIS (TB)
Negative isolation is generally required for containment of tuberculosis.
See "Tuberculosis Facility Guidance" in the Technical Information Library for
detailed guidance on the many functional areas where isolation rooms or some
degree of isolation may be required for TB containment.
5.7.3 ISOLATION ROOMS IN PATIENT CARE UNITS (NURSING UNITS)
VA Space Planning Criteria provides isolation rooms, without specifying
whether negative or positive, in all:
A. Intensive Care Units
B. MS&N (Medical, Surgical, and Neurological) Patient Care Units
C. Spinal Cord Injury Centers
5.7.4 ISOLATION ROOMS IN AMBULATORY CARE
Space Planning Criteria provides a negative isolation room called "Multi-
Purpose Exam Room" in Emergency Care (ER) suites.
5.7.5 ISOLATION AUTOPSY ROOM IN MORGUE
Space Planning Criteria provides an "Isolation/Teaching Autopsy Room" in the
morgue (a part of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service) of larger
hospitals.
5.7.6 SECLUSION ROOMS IN MENTAL HEALTH AND BEHAVIORAL (PSYCHIATRIC) PATIENT
UNITS
These spaces are sometimes called "isolation rooms", but, they serve a
different function, prevention of self-injury, rather than limiting the
spread of disease.
5.7.7 ISOLATION ROOM DESIGN
5.7.7.1 The most significant feature of an isolation room is its air pressure
with regard to that of adjoining spaces; thus it must be clearly designated
as negative or positive. The pressure differential depends on the design of
the HVAC system. See HVAC Design Manual, Paragraph 3.11, "Isolation Rooms".
5.7.7.2 For size and number of isolation rooms in a given functional area,
see VA Space Planning Criteria (Handbook 7610).
5.7.7.3 Isolation rooms require a tight enclosure to maintain the desired
pressure differentials. See Paragraph 4.3, "Partitions", above for partition
construction. See "Room Finishes, Door and Hardware Schedule" for finishes,
etc.
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN MANUAL
5-3
SPECIAL FUNCTIONS
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