Highlights
- •Relationship of position between ACOL and operating bed is important.
- •FAW can be used safely in the OR with appropriate ACOL position.
- •ACOL is more important to reduce contamination than cleanliness ability of OR.
Abstract
Background
Previously, we found that an upward air current in the head area, induced by forced
air warming (FAW), was completely counteracted by downward laminar airflow. However,
this study did not include any consideration of the air-conditioner outlet layout
(ACOL); hence, its impact remains unclear.
Methods
This study was performed in 2 operating rooms (ORs)—ISO classes 5 and 6, which are
denoted as OR-5 and OR-6, respectively. Both ORs have distinct ACOLs. The cleanliness,
or the number or ratio of shifting artificial particles was evaluated.
Results
During the first 5 minutes after particles generation, significantly more particles
shifted into the surgical field in OR-5 when compared to OR-6 (13,587 [4,341-15,913]
and 106 [41-338] particles/cubic foot, P < .0001). Notably, FAW did not increase the number of shifting particles in OR-6.
The laminar airflow system fully counteracted the upward airflow caused by FAW in
OR-6, where the ACOL covered the operating bed. However, this did not occur in OR-5,
where the ACOL did not fully cover the operating bed.
Conclusions
Regardless of cleanliness ability of OR, an ACOL that fully covers the operating bed
can prevent upward airflow in the head area and reduce the number of artificial particles
shifting into the surgical field, which are typically caused by FAW.
Key Words
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Shirozu K, Takamori S, Setoguchi H, Yamaura K. Effects of forced air warming systems on the airflow and sanitation quality of operating rooms with non-laminar airflow systems. [e-pub ahead of print]. Perioper Care Oper Room Manag. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcorm.2020.100119, accessed July 18, 2020.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: June 27, 2020
Footnotes
Conflicts of interest: None to report.
Contribution: All authors helped review the literature and write the manuscript, and approved the final version of the manuscript.
Funding: The authors received support from an educational research fund of the Operating Rooms in Kyushu University Hospital.
Identification
Copyright
© 2020 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
