What are recommendations and guidelines for using patient isolation units for patient transport between hospitals and inside hospitals?

Portable isolation units provide a level of barrier protection preferred by many personnel managing and transporting patients with high consequence infectious diseases. They are an alternative to using barrier drapes and other methods of source control.

Personnel planning to use a portable isolation unit should consider operating procedures for patient management and the unit’s cleaning and disinfection, or disposal. If the plan calls for disposal and the patient was infected with a special pathogen, like Ebola virus, it would need to be managed as Category A waste (HMR, 49 C.F.R., Parts 171-180).

In addition, in some cases, portable isolation units may not be tolerated well by patients due to the confines of the unit. Patient access is also curtailed potentially interfering with patient management.