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	My hospital has asked me to answer a question regarding negative room pressure, and I can't locate an area for advise. Our Microbiology Dept. was a negative pressure room because AFB was performed in it as well as regular Microbiology and Mycology. We have gone to referencing out our AFB and need to know if a negative pressure room is still necessary for routine Micro/mycology. We have a hood that is sufficient and is routinely checked, but is there any CAP guidelines that require the need of a negative pressure room? Facilities claim that eliminating the negative pressure room can save the hospital money, and I would like to know where to retrieve information if it is necessary.
	I do not know of any regulations that say that a negative air pressure room is needed for processing Microbiology specimens in general. There is nothing wrong with having the negative pressure room--that is great; but it is not needed for Microbiology processing, outside of AFB. However, processing of all specimens in the laboratory should be done in a biological safety cabinet. And certainly when working with Mycology specimens or gram negative coccobacillary organisms that are fastidious and could be suspicious for Brucella or Fransicella and the like should also be done in a biological safety cabinet. Keep in mind, too, as I know you know., the fact that something is not labelled as possibly containing Mycobactreium does not mean it does not contain it. So hoods are essential. The negative air pressure room is great as well, but I do not think you will find documentation that it is needed outside of restricted work-ups like those for AFB and other very potentially hazardous bacteria.

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