Assessment of Rapid COVID-19 Isolation Ward Implementation in Reducing Healthcare Worker Infections

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Hospital Infrastructure
• Public Health

Background:

• Limited availability of negative-pressure isolation rooms challenged COVID-19 management.
• Rapid deployment of temporary facilities became crucial during the pandemic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document the experience of rapidly establishing a temporary isolation ward for COVID-19 patients.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of the temporary ward in patient care and healthcare worker protection.

Main Methods:

• Construction of a 22-bed negative-pressure isolation ward in two days.
• Implementation of one-way traffic control for healthcare workers.
• Environmental monitoring (temperature, humidity, air changes) and UV-C sterilization.
• Weekly COVID-19 testing for all healthcare workers via RT-PCR.

Main Results:

• The ward accommodated 55 COVID-19 patients between May 31 and June 17, 2021.
• Achieved 11 air changes per hour, maintained 20.6°C and 74% humidity.
• Established a 3 Pa pressure differential, ensuring negative pressure in patient rooms.
• Zero positive COVID-19 tests among 966 healthcare workers.

Conclusions:

• The rapidly deployed temporary isolation unit was effective for COVID-19 patient care.
• The facility successfully protected healthcare workers from infection.
• Demonstrates a viable strategy for managing infectious disease outbreaks with limited infrastructure.