Numerical and experimental study of the air distribution in a negative pressure isolation ward

In 2003, a SARS negative pressure isolation ward was built in Beijing to isolate patients. According to it, the authors carried out a numerical simulation and validated the experiment to optimize the indoor air distribution for it. They also compared the results from the simulation with those from measurement.As can be seen from the simulation, an acceptable airflow pattern is obtained in most places of the isolation room. The concentration of the contaminant is relatively low in most locations, whereas it could reach higher level near the mouth of the patient.The contaminated expiration could be removed quickly when the patient breathes peacefully. But not promptly when the patient is coughing severely or sniffing, because near the bed, the air distribution does not perform well. In the SARS isolation ward, good air distribution is the key factor to protect the Healthcare professionals and healing patients from getting infected by the severe airborne epidemic.