An evaluation of the environmental factors that impact on operating room air quality and the risk for development of surgical site infections

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. S7
Author(s):  
Karen Mckenna ◽  
Anastasia Hutchinson ◽  
Mal Butler
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Operating Room ◽  
Surgical Site Infections

Comparison of two air sampling methods to monitor operating room air quality and assessment of air quality in two operating rooms with different ventilation systems in the national hospital of Sri Lanka

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tshokey Tshokey ◽  
Pranitha Somaratne ◽  
Suneth Agampodi
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Operating Room ◽  
Ventilation System ◽  
Surgical Site Infections ◽  
National Hospital ◽  
Air Contamination ◽  
Acceptable Method ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Laminar Air Flow

Air contamination in the operating room (OR) is an important contributor for surgical site infections. Air quality should be assessed during microbiological commissioning of new ORs and as required thereafter. Despite many modern methods of sampling air, developing countries mostly depended on conventional methods. This was studied in two ORs of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL) with different ventilation system; a conventional ventilation (CV) and a laminar air flow (LAF). Both ORs were sampled simultaneously by two different methods, the settle plate and sampler when empty and during use for a defined time period. Laboratory work was done in the Medical Research Institute. The two methods of sampling showed moderate but highly significant correlation. The OR with CV was significantly more contaminated than LAF when empty as well as during use by both methods. Overall, the difference in contamination was more significant when sampled by the sampler. Differences in contamination in empty and in-use ORs were significant in both ORs, but significance is less in LAF rooms. The consistent and significant correlation between settle plate and sampler showed that the settle plate is an acceptable method. The LAF theatre showed less contamination while empty and during use as expected. Air contamination differences were more significant when sampled with sampler indicating that it is a more sensitive method. Both CV and LAF ORs of the NHSL did not meet the contamination standards for empty theatres but met the standards for in-use indicating that the theatre etiquette was acceptable.

scholarly journals Simulated operating room aerodynamics to improve air quality and prevent surgical site infections

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
G Messina ◽  
G Spataro ◽  
M Tarroni ◽  
G Cevenini
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Operating Room ◽  
Ventilation System ◽  
Surgical Site Infections ◽  
Simulation Software ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Operating Table ◽  
Air Filtration ◽  
Air System ◽  
Air Flows

Abstract Background Proper operating room (OR) ventilation and air filtration are important measures to prevent infection of the surgical site and consequently reduce hospital stay and healthcare costs. In order to identify how changes in the air system can affect air quality, tailor-made researches need to be conducted in ORs. The aim of the study is to verify how a mobile air filtration system can affect the air quality of ORs when placed in different positions. Methods This is a descriptive study conducted during April and May 2018 in the University Hospital of Siena, Italy. We measured air flows through the vents of both the OR air system and a mobile novel air system unit, which includes a patented crystalline ultraviolet C reactor and an HEPA filter. Using a CAD 3D simulation software (SolidWorks 2017) the air flows interactions were simulated in the replicated OR. Results The device influenced the original airflows generated by the integrated OR ventilation system. Simulations have shown that when the device is positioned close to the wall with its intake beside the entrance and its outlet towards the operating table, air from outside can enter the room because the air intake from the device prevails over the internal pressure of the OR, increasing contamination. If the device is placed near the OR centre with its suction towards the operating table and its outlet towards the OR entrance, if the door is opened, airflows towards the outside of the room prevail, improving ability to retain outgoing contaminants. Conclusions The different positioning of mobile devices that generate clean air flows within ORs can have a significant impact on aerodynamics, which can turn can affect critical aspects of the surgical outcome. In order to achieve an effective device placement and orientation, OR-specific environmental measurements should be carried out. Key messages Movable devices may help boosting the performance of air systems in operating rooms. Every operating room needs a specific study in order to obtain the best profit.

scholarly journals Pollution And Environmental Indicators Using A Multicriteria Analysis

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1581
Author(s):  
Maria-Carmen Garcia-Centeno ◽  
Gema Fernandez-Aviles
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Decision Aid ◽  
Multicriteria Analysis ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Multicriteria Decision Aid ◽  
Multicriteria Decision

Pollution and environmental factors are a core topic because they influence in air quality of the different areas of a city. This is why in this article we propose to apply a multicriteria decision aid method (the Promethee) to establish a ranking among twenty one districts of Madrid city. To develop this ranking we use objective and subjective criteria that contain information about pollution and environmental indicators in these districts. The results show that some districts are the worse and the best regardless the used criteria.

scholarly journals Variation of Physico -Chemical Parameters from a Butchery Area in Rm. Valcea

2012 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana FLORESCU ◽  
Marius ARICIU ◽  
Diana BOCIU ◽  
Roxana IONETE
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Quality Control ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Pollutant Emissions ◽  
Waste Incinerator ◽  
Meat Industry ◽  
Monitoring And Control ◽  
Water Quality Control

The European Parliament and Council Regulation no.178/2002 sets the standard for consumer protection and environmental quality assurance relating to a specifi c food in the user market. In order to monitor the environmental factors, the study is focused on meat industry that is expanding rapidly, is an established player and a leader in its market, specifically S.C. Diana S.R.L, Rm.Valcea.Environmental protection, monitoring and controlling environmental factors of pollutant emissions is performed by authorized personnel in laboratories with adequate equipment described in specific standards. Air monitoring should be compliant with Order 462/1993, which also shows the maximum permitted concentrations for each parameter monitored. Parameters monitored of directed emissions into the atmosphere, are made once a week from the waste incinerator stack. For monitoring of ammonia in the refrigeration units, the Order 462/1993 is followed and furthermore authorized staff ensures that emissions do not harm air quality and odours, according to Health Ministry Order 536/1997. Regarding the monitoring of ammonia, which takes part in air quality control, sampling is made weekly by trained personnel.The monitoring and control of water quality parameters, is performed by complying to the drinking water law no. 458/2002. Water quality control implicates weekly examinations of set limit controls. SC Diana Ltd from Rm. -Valcea has not exceeded the required limits during the monitoring performed in this research paper. If limits are exceeded, they must be reported to County Environmental Protection Agency.Unit is obliged to regularly inform the Environmental Protection Authority on monitoring activities carried out.

Environmental factors during COVID – 19 pandemic in Campinas, Brazil

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Kabke Bainy ◽  
Ana Maria Heuminski de Ávila
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Mobile Phone Data ◽  
Environmental Aspects ◽  
Air Contaminants ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Hospitalization Rates ◽  
The Social ◽  
The City

<p>During COVID – 19 pandemic, the main strategy to prevent virus dissemination adopted worldwide was the social distancing, in different degrees (ranging from simple recommendations to the population, to complete lockdown). In this context, many studies were performed around the world to assess the impacts of such measures on the environment, specially on air quality. The reported results almost unanimously pointed to a reduction in air contaminants, mainly as a response to vehicular traffic depletion and, at some level, to reduced human and industrial activities.  On March 24<sup>th</sup>, 2020, a partial lockdown was decreed in São Paulo state, Brazil, and since then it has undergone, back and forth, several stages of strictness according to contamination and hospitalization rates, being stricter whenever intensive care units (ICU) occupation increased. Our study aims to evaluate environmental aspects (air quality and meteorology) in Campinas city (São Paulo, Brazil), during the pandemic, from March 24<sup>th</sup> to December 31<sup>st</sup>, and compare it with the weeks prior to the social distancing and with the previous year. In addition to the environmental variables, the “social distancing index” (obtained by using mobile phone data to assess displacements) and medical data (hospital admissions and deaths) were employed to a preliminary analysis of  the influence of environmental factors on COVID – 19 evolution in the city.</p>

scholarly journals Root cause analysis of epidural spinal cord stimulator implant infections with resolution after implementation of an improved protocol for surgical placement

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 185-190
Author(s):  
Forest W Arnold ◽  
Sarah Bishop ◽  
David Johnson ◽  
LaShawn Scott ◽  
Crystal Heishman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Operating Room ◽  
Surgical Site Infections ◽  
Root Cause Analysis ◽  
Hospital Epidemiology ◽  
Cause Analysis ◽  
Root Cause ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Vancomycin Powder ◽  
To Receive

Background: Placing a spinal stimulator for the purpose of restoring paralysed function is a novel procedure; however, paralysis predisposes people to infection. Preventing surgical site infections is critical to benefit this population. Objective: The objective of this study was to review the root cause analysis of postoperative wound infections by a hospital epidemiology team following implantation of epidural spinal cord neurostimulators in patients with chronic spinal cord injury. Methods: A team was assembled to review the case of every individual who had been enrolled to receive a neurostimulator at the facility. A root cause analysis was performed evaluating five categories: the patient; equipment; facility/environment; procedure; and personnel. Findings: The root cause analysis included 11 patients. Two patients became infected. Three others dehisced their wound without becoming infected. All patients were given preoperative antibiotics on time. A mean of 17 personnel were in the operating room during surgery. Vancomycin powder was used in the patients who either dehisced their wound or became infected. Conclusions: The root cause analysis provides guidance for other institutions performing the same novel procedure. This analysis did not reveal a direct association, but did generate several areas for improvement including increasing pre-surgical screening, cleaning transient equipment (e.g., computer screens), limiting traffic in the operating room, using new sterile instruments for each stage of the procedure, not reopening the back incision, not applying vancomycin powder, and using an antimicrobial envelope for the stimulator.

Teaching in the operating room: A risk for surgical site infections?

2020 ◽  
Vol 220 (2) ◽  
pp. 322-327
Author(s):  
Edin Mujagic ◽  
Henry Hoffmann ◽  
Savas Soysal ◽  
Tarik Delko ◽  
Robert Mechera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Operating Room ◽  
Surgical Site Infections
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document