What is the function of an anteroom in isolation room design?

What is the function of an anteroom in isolation room design?

• A. A workspace for clinicians.
• B. A waiting area for visitors.
• C. To serve as a buffer space that maintains pressure differential and provides a transition between spaces.
• D. An area to store medical waste.

Answer: (C)

An anteroom in isolation room design serves as a buffer space that maintains pressure differential and provides a transition between spaces. It acts like an airlock, so when doors are opened, the airflow and pressure in the patient area are less disrupted, reducing the risk of contaminated air moving into the corridor or other zones. This transitional space helps preserve the intended environmental separation and often serves as a staging area for PPE donning and doffing and for hand hygiene, further reducing contamination pathways. It isn’t intended as a clinician’s workspace, a visitor waiting area, or a place to store medical waste.

An anteroom in isolation room design serves as a buffer space that maintains pressure differential and provides a transition between spaces. It acts like an airlock, so when doors are opened, the airflow and pressure in the patient area are less disrupted, reducing the risk of contaminated air moving into the corridor or other zones. This transitional space helps preserve the intended environmental separation and often serves as a staging area for PPE donning and doffing and for hand hygiene, further reducing contamination pathways. It isn’t intended as a clinician’s workspace, a visitor waiting area, or a place to store medical waste.