Apparatus for isolating contagious respiratory hospital patients

Abstract

An apparatus for isolating contagious respiratory hospital patients to reduce the nosocomial and airborne transmission of diseases such as tuberculosis, pertussis, influenza and measles is provided. In one embodiment, a self-contained, portable and prefabricated room in combination with an air-flow control and filtering system is provided. The room is adapted to be assembled within the confines of a preexisting structure or room such as a hospital room. The air-flow control and filtering system functions to filter air being exhausted from the room to adjoining patient areas and to maintain the room at a continuous negative air pressure relative to ambient atmospheric pressure. The system also automatically increases its capacity when the door is opened in order to maintain a constant negative pressure and further provides a warning system for monitoring unauthorized access to or exit from the room as well as notification of loss of power and/or operation. In another embodiment, a blower unit including an ultraviolet light and HEPA filter is provided which functions to collect, trap and kill pathogens.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.