Negative pressure wards play an integral role in isolating patients with respiratory infectious diseases, which often place immense pressure on our healthcare systems. In various comprehensive (specialized) medical institutions, these units are crucial and represent indispensable basic facilities. Their design employs a ventilation system that directs airflow from clean areas to contaminated ones, ensuring the ward’s air pressure is lower than that in the adjacent connected regions. This design inhibits the outward spread of pathogenic microorganisms. A thorough and meticulous disinfection protocol for these wards can significantly enhance the infection control capabilities of medical institutions and protect healthcare workers and patients alike.
In light of this, this study adopted the Delphi method, a process that involves drafting a questionnaire, sending it to experts, and facilitating an anonymous exchange of opinions. After several feedback rounds, expert opinions eventually converge to yield statistically significant results. In crafting a detailed disinfection protocol for negative pressure wards, we conducted two rounds of consultations by engaging experts.
The draft disinfection protocol compiled using the Delphi method pivotally contained 8 primary indicators, 20 secondary indicators, and 46 tertiary indicators. Primary indicators included air disinfection, surface disinfection, disinfection management of special hardware facilities, fabric disinfection, disinfection of secretions/excretions/vomitus, monitoring of disinfection effectiveness, management of cleaning and disinfection tools, and medical waste management.
Through two rounds of correspondence with fifteen experts across six provinces and cities in China, we constructed and refined the disinfection protocol based on a rigorous literature analysis and investigation of the present status quo.
Air quality control in negative pressure wards was identified as a critical aspect of the disinfection protocol. Mechanical designs equipped with filtration systems and ultraviolet air disinfection units can guarantee a certain level of indoor air quality.
The disinfection protocol for the negative pressure wards developed through this method proved to be scientifically sound and highly operable. It serves as a useful reference for medical institutions equipped with negative pressure wards, enabling such establishments to bolster their emergency response capabilities and effectively manage emerging infectious disease outbreaks.
Source: https://bmcinfectdis.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12879-025-11659-y