MQDC Helps Invent “Negative Pressure” Emergency Room for COVID-19 Patients

MQDC Helps Invent “Negative Pressure” Emergency Room for COVID-19 Patients

Research & Innovation for Sustainability Center (RISC) and EEC Engineering Network, a system installer, have developed and launched “Negative Pressure ER 100% Fresh Air”, a mobile facility to ease the shortage of emergency rooms (ER) in the COVID-19 outbreak. 

20 September 2021, Bangkok – Research & Innovation for Sustainability Center (RISC) and EEC Engineering Network, a system installer, have developed and launched “Negative Pressure ER 100% Fresh Air”, a mobile facility to ease the shortage of emergency rooms (ER) in the COVID-19 outbreak. 

A pilot installation is helping BMA General (Klang) Hospital care for patients, providing air quality equivalent to an operating theater. The system can be disassembled and is easy to carry and to assemble outdoors to reach patients.

“Medical teams are facing a lack of safe working space and shortage of ER facilities for critically ill patients who need operations,” said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Singh Intrachooto, Chief Advisor to RISC, a sustainability research hub set up by MQDC.

“‘Negative Pressure ER’ can accommodate patients who need urgent treatment. Supporting emergency procedures for ‘Red’ patients on ventilators is crucial, relieving the shortage of ER rooms and providing flexibility for frontline personnel by helping support and create safe confined spaces.”

The innovation uses unidirectional airflow to stop infection spreading, expanding space for treating patients and relieving the lack of facilities for critical patients to undergo operations safely.

“Negative Pressure ER 100% Fresh Air” was developed by RISC and EEC with a pressure differential of 12 Pa (*beyond the minimum requirement of 7.5 Pa). The anteroom has a pressure differential of 5 Pa to prevent infection from airflow.

Air is extracted from the head of the patient’s bed and goes through a HEPA filter before being released outside, ensuring safety both indoors and outdoors. Entirely fresh air (‘100% Fresh Air’) is let into the room with an air-conditioning system that controls and separates the airflow.

Mr. Kecha Thirakomen, Chairman of the Board of Directors of EEC Engineering Network, said: “As a leading engineering company, both nationally and internationally, EEC is honored to contribute to this development. The ‘Negative Pressure ER 100% Fresh Air’ emergency room will help hospitals, medical staff, and COVID-19 patients get through this crisis together.”

Watch the story of the Negative Pressure ER 100% Fresh Air: CLICK