Editing Infection Control and Safety (section)

=== Protective Environment ===

A protective environment is used for severely immunocompromised patients, classically allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. It is '''positive-pressure''' relative to the corridor with HEPA-filtered incoming air, at least 12 air changes per hour, and sealed room construction. Keep the door closed, avoid fresh flowers, potted plants, standing water, and construction dust, and screen visitors for illness. This is not a transmission-based precaution; it protects the patient from the environment rather than protecting others from the patient.

'''Application note.''' A patient who needs both a protective environment and airborne precautions (for example, a transplant patient with varicella) requires an anteroom so the airflow requirements can both be met.