Background
High level isolation units (HLIUs) are specialist isolation facilities dedicated for the management of patients diagnosed with High Consequence Infectious Diseases (HCIDs). Although these diseases are not endemic within Ireland or in Europe, modern day travel and international aid, involving healthcare workers, heightens the risk of people infected with these pathogens entering or being repatriated to Ireland. In Ireland, this unit is situated at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in Dublin.
Method:
The construction of a new two-bed High-Level Isolation Unit (HLIU) is underway and will be finalised by end of 2022. This HLIU is a purpose built, ICU level, 2 bed state-of-the-art facility with a design where all the necessary elements are within one footprint.
A systematic review of literature and a networking strategy was adopted in order to inform development of ventilation blueprint. Consultation with international working groups for HCIDs (NETEC USA, STAKOB Germany and The Royal Free London) helped to draw a conclusion to the ventilation design.
The ventilation in the unit is a HEPA filtered system which is incrementally negative pressure with 4 steps up to minus 45 in the patient room, the highest being in the patient bathroom; clean zone= -15 pascals, ante room -30, patient area= -45 pascals, doffing area= -35pascals.
Conclusion:
The recent cases of Lassa fever and Crimean Congo in the UK highlight the need for a purpose built HLIU in Ireland. This ultramodern HLIU facilitates provision of complex patient care in a safe environment.