04 Apr The Role of Cleanrooms in Hospitals

Few people know that hospitals were the first places to use cleanrooms. In the 19th century, a British surgeon named Lord Lister believed that bacteria were responsible for the many deaths that occurred after surgeries. To test his theory, he sprayed a disinfectant solution (carbolic acid) in his operating room in Glasgow, Scotland. He sprayed it into the air, on his hands, the wounds of patients, and his surgical tools.

To his astonishment, he found that the solution had reduced after-surgery deaths by about two-thirds, or 66%. Today, the legacy of this discovery continues, and the pursuit of safe and sterile spaces within hospital walls has saved the lives of countless patients. Hospital cleanrooms, inspired by Lister’s antiseptic method, continue to safeguard patients against infection.

What is a Cleanroom?

A cleanroom is a controlled environment where pollutants, such as dust, microorganisms, and vapors, are kept within strict limits. In hospitals, cleanrooms are essential for operating rooms, pharmacies, isolation rooms, or any spaces where the minimization of dangerous microorganisms is critical. Cleanroom technology in hospitals has been particularly important over the last few years in reducing the transmission COVID-19.

Standards and Regulations for Hospital Cleanrooms

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) provides the cleanroom classification system ISO 14644-1, which outlines various levels of air cleanliness. 

Hospitals typically require cleanrooms ranging from ISO Class 5 to ISO Class 8, depending on the application.

In addition to these ISO standards, hospital compounding and filling rooms, where medications are made and prepared, must also follow specific guidelines known as USP 797 and USP 800. These guidelines help make sure medications are safe and free from contamination.

The FDA and CDC also offer guidelines and regulations to ensure these environments are safe and effective for patients.

Design and Construction of Hospital Cleanrooms

Cleanroom design depends very much on its use. For example, an operating room will not have the same design as an isolation room, though similar factors may be controlled in each. Let’s go over some of the factors that cleanrooms control and how they might be used in different types of hospital cleanrooms.

Pressurization

Pressurization is key to making sure dangerous bacteria and microorganisms stay in the right place. Hospital cleanrooms use pressure to make sure airflow moves correctly, especially to counter any air leaks from surrounding spaces.

Positive Pressure Rooms

In hospitals, some areas need tighter security against infectious agents than others.

Positive pressure rooms offer one such solution. They use pressure differentials to make sure that air from surrounding rooms cannot enter. A positive pressure room will have higher pressure than the surrounding rooms, which will push air outside the room if there is a breach.

In an operating room, for example, positive pressure may be used to make sure air from adjoining rooms cannot carry in dangerous pathogens. The air will instead flow out of the operating room and into the adjoining room, protecting patients from infections.

Negative Pressure Rooms

Negative pressure rooms, on the other hand, keeps and contains pathogens. It maintains a lower air pressure inside than in the surrounding areas. If a breach occurs, the pressure differential will draw air into the negative pressure room, preventing contaminated air from escaping.

This has been especially useful in the last few years, with the so-called isolation rooms designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.

Humidity

Humidity is another important factor that some hospital cleanrooms need to control. In an operating room environment, for example, humidity levels may affect blood coagulation, anesthetic gases, and even some of the electrical equipment (low humidity levels can create a lot of static electricity).

Keeping hospital cleanrooms at the right humidity levels is essential to minimize disruptions and protect patients.

Airflow

Another key factor that is managed in hospital cleanrooms is airflow, with its direction, velocity, and volume carefully controlled.

In operating rooms, for example, laminar airflow (also called unidirectional airflow) is used over the operating table to prevent dangerous infections that may occur during surgery. The speed or velocity of the air is also important, as the faster the speed of the air, the cleaner the area around the patient is.

HEPA and ULPA filtration

Hospital cleanrooms also use high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) and ultra-low particulate air (ULPA) filtration to reach proper particle levels. HEPA filters can stop 99.97% of particles 0.3 micrometers or larger, and ULPA filters can stop 99.99% of particles 0.12 micrometers or larger.

These filters are much better at removing airborne particles than the air filtration systems used in a typical office environment, and they are typically installed right at the point where fresh air enters the room.

Maintenance and Monitoring of Cleanrooms in Hospitals

Rigorous cleaning protocols, continuous monitoring of air quality, and extensive personnel training are crucial for maintaining a cleanroom. Environmental monitoring tools measure particles, temperature, humidity, and other parameters to ensure ongoing compliance with standards.

Protect Patient Health with Allied Cleanrooms

If you’re looking to enhance or establish cleanroom facilities in your hospital or healthcare environment, it’s important that you speak with experts. The engineers at Allied Cleanrooms have over 30 years of hands-on experience in creating clean spaces. We offer comprehensive support from the initial design to construction. Get in touch for a personalized quote today.