음압 격리 병실(영어: Negative Pressure Isolation Room, NPIR)

[석수]

음압 격리 병실(영어: negative pressure isolation room, NPIR)은 병원에서 환자 격리시 병실 사이의 오염을 막기 위해 음실압을 사용하는 격리 병실을 가리킨다.


음압 격리 병실에서는 환기 장치를 사용해 방 안의 기압을 음압으로 유지함으로써 외부의 공기가 방으로 들어올 수는 있지만 방의 공기가 밖으로 나갈 수는 없게 한다.

Negative pressure describes a state where the pressure within an area is lower than the surrounding environment, causing air to flow from a higher-pressure area to a lower-pressure area, effectively trapping contaminants. This principle is utilized in hospital isolation rooms to contain infectious diseases, negative pressure wound therapy to promote healing, and ventilation systems to prevent dangerous fumes from entering a home.

In healthcare:

Isolation rooms: In hospitals, a negative pressure room is an isolation room with lower air pressure than the surrounding area. When the door is opened, air flows into the room, preventing potentially infectious particles from escaping into other areas of the hospital.
Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT): This therapy uses sub-atmospheric pressure to treat complex, non-healing wounds. The negative pressure helps reduce inflammation, remove excess fluid, and promote the growth of healthy granulation tissue.

In ventilation and safety:

Carbon Monoxide: In a poorly ventilated home with an exhaust fan operating, negative pressure can be created. This negative pressure can draw dangerous gases, such as carbon monoxide, into the living space from sources like the flues of gas heaters.

Home ventilation: Signs of negative air pressure in a home can include doors slamming shut on their own or feeling a draft when a dryer or another appliance is on.

How it works:

Air naturally flows from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure.
In a negative pressure system, air is constantly drawn in from outside the contained area, preventing air and any contaminants within the area from flowing out.