Negative air pressure
Sterile processing definition
Negative air pressure means a room's air pressure is lower than the surrounding areas, so air flows into the room rather than out of it. In sterile processing, the decontamination area is kept at negative pressure to keep contaminated air from escaping into clean areas. Doors should stay closed to maintain the pressure relationship.
On the CRCST exam
A common question: decontamination is negative pressure; prep, packaging and sterile storage are positive.
Exam domain: Departmental Considerations (about 15% of the exam)
Departmental Considerations practice questions
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