Negative/Positive Air Pressure Testing

What are the requirements for testing for negative and or positive pressure in rooms, like isolation and OR's, and how often should it be tested?

TJC standards do not specify. They leave it up to the organization to determine. Please see below. Organization should consider input from the hospital's infection control practitioners when determining the frequencies for testing for appropriate air pressure relationships in isolation rooms, ORs, etc. Depending on the room/area in question and if it is occupied, it is possible that daily or weekly testing might be required. This is often accomplished via a so-called “tissue test.” Some isolation rooms or ORs have permanently installed visual mechanisms that constantly monitor the pressure status of the room. Other than that, I’m not aware of any overall semiannual or annual testing requirements. Again, that is up to the organization to determine through a risk assessment process.     

2012  Hospital Accreditation Standards

Standard EC.02.05.01

The hospital manages risks associated with its utility systems.

Elements of Performance for EC.02.05.01

4. The hospital identifies, in writing, the intervals for inspecting, testing, and maintaining all operating components of the utility systems on the inventory, based on criteria such as manufacturers’ recommendations, risk levels, or hospital experience. (See also EC.02.05.05, EPs 3-5)

6. In areas designed to control airborne contaminants (such as biological agents, gases, fumes, dust), the ventilation system provides appropriate pressure relationships, air-exchange rates, and filtration efficiencies.

Note: Areas designed for control of airborne contaminants include spaces such as operating rooms, special procedure rooms, delivery rooms for patients diagnosed with or suspected of having airborne communicable diseases (for example, pulmonary or laryngeal tuberculosis), patients in “protective environment” rooms (for example, those receiving bone marrow transplants), laboratories, pharmacies, and sterile supply rooms. For further information, see Guidelines for Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities, 2010 edition, administered by the Facility Guidelines Institute and published by the American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE).