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

Author(s):  
Tshokey Tshokey ◽  
Pranitha Somaratne ◽  
Suneth Agampodi

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.

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
G Messina ◽  
G Spataro ◽  
M Tarroni ◽  
G Cevenini

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.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sytty Mazian Mazlan ◽  
Ainon Hamzah ◽  
Wan Syaidatul Aqma Wan Mohd Noor ◽  
Azlan Abas

Abstract Indoor air quality is a concept that applies to the nature of the environment in and around buildings and facilities in which it contributes to the safety and security of those in the house. The aim of this study was to identify bacterial and fungal species present in the room, determine indoor air quality and investigate consumer views on indoor air quality in the Biology Building, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, National University of Malaysia. This study was conducted at the Biology Building at 8 selected sampling sites. Microbes were sampled using nutrient agar (bacteria) and potato dextrose agar (fungus). All samples of microbes were classified using two approaches; i) morphological examination and ii) biochemical reaction experiments. CO2, temperature and relative humidity are registered using the Direct Sense Monitoring Kit. A survey on customer satisfaction with indoor air quality in the building was carried out and evaluated in order to collect empirical details. This study found that the presence of Bacillus cereus, Bacillus laterosporus, Bacillus sphaericus, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermis, Enterobacter cloacae, Pseudomonas fluarescens, Pseudomonas stuzeri and Aeromonas hydrophila bacterial. The fungi species are Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus nidulans, Penicillium digitatum and Fusarium dimerum. The result also shows that the carbon dioxide, temperature and relative humidity concentrations for most sampling stations comply with the DOSH standards. Moreover, almost all participants reported that their level of health and comfort while in the building is good, while the ventilation system of the building is at a comfortable level. Whereas, the degree of knowledge for most respondents on the value of indoor air quality is high. Two of the recommendations included in this study to enhance indoor air quality are to insure that the air conditioning device is correctly controlled and to raise understanding of the value of indoor air quality among staff and students in the Biology Building.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pietro Grisoli ◽  
Marco Albertoni ◽  
Marinella Rodolfi

The determination of microbiological air quality in sporting and working environments requires the quantification of airborne microbial contamination. The number and types of microorganisms, detected in a specific site, offer a useful index for air quality valuation. An assessment of contamination levels was carried out using three evaluation indices for microbiological pollution: the global index of microbiological contamination per cubic meter (GIMC/m3), the index of mesophilic bacterial contamination (IMC), and the amplification index (AI). These indices have the advantage of considering several concomitant factors in the formation of a microbial aerosol. They may also detect the malfunction of an air treatment system due to the increase of microbes in aeraulic ducts, or inside a building compared to the outdoor environment. In addition, they highlight the low efficiency of a ventilation system due to the excessive number of people inside a building or to insufficient air renewal. This study quantified the levels of microorganisms present in the air in different places such as offices, gyms, and libraries. The air contamination was always higher in gyms that in the other places. All examined environments are in Northern Italy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (9A) ◽  
pp. 1257-1275
Author(s):  
Wisam M. Mareed ◽  
Hasanen M. Hussen

 Elevated CO2 rates in a building affect the health of the occupant. This paper deals with an experimental and numerical analysis conducted in a full-scale test room located in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Technology. The experiments and CFD were conducted for analyzing ventilation performance. It is a study on the effect of the discharge airflow rate of the ceiling type air-conditioner on ventilation performance in the lecture room with the mixing ventilation. Most obtained findings show that database and questionnaires analyzed prefer heights between 0.2 m to 1.2 m in the middle of an occupied zone and breathing zone height of between 0.75 m to 1.8 given in the literature surveyed. It is noticed the mismatch of internal conditions with thermal comfort, and indoor air quality recommended by [ASHRAE Standard 62, ANSI / ASHRAE Standard 55-2010]. CFD simulations have been carried to provide insights on the indoor air quality and comfort conditions throughout the classroom. Particle concentrations, thermal conditions, and modified ventilation system solutions are reported.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 2981
Author(s):  
Jeanné le Roux ◽  
Sundar Christopher ◽  
Manil Maskey

Planet, a commercial company, has achieved a key milestone by launching a large fleet of small satellites (smallsats) that provide high spatial resolution imagery of the entire Earth’s surface on a daily basis with its PlanetScope sensors. Given the potential utility of these data, this study explores the use for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air quality applications. However, before these data can be utilized for air quality applications, key features of the data, including geolocation accuracy, calibration quality, and consistency in spectral signatures, need to be addressed. In this study, selected Dove-Classic PlanetScope data is screened for geolocation consistency. The spectral response of the Dove-Classic PlanetScope data is then compared to Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data over different land cover types, and under varying PM2.5 and mid visible aerosol optical depth (AOD) conditions. The data selected for this study was found to fall within Planet’s reported geolocation accuracy of 10 m (between 3–4 pixels). In a comparison of top of atmosphere (TOA) reflectance over a sample of different land cover types, the difference in reflectance between PlanetScope and MODIS ranged from near-zero (0.0014) to 0.117, with a mean difference in reflectance of 0.046 ± 0.031 across all bands. The reflectance values from PlanetScope were higher than MODIS 78% of the time, although no significant relationship was found between surface PM2.5 or AOD and TOA reflectance for the cases that were studied. The results indicate that commercial satellite data have the potential to address Earth-environmental issues.


Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 240
Author(s):  
Prabuddha Manjula ◽  
Minjun Kim ◽  
Sunghyun Cho ◽  
Dongwon Seo ◽  
Jun Heon Lee

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a highly polymorphic gene region that regulates cellular communication in all specific immune responses. In this study, we investigated 11 microsatellite (MS) markers in the MHC-B region of chicken populations from four countries: Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, South Korea, and Nigeria. The MS markers were divided into two sets. Set 1 included five novel MS markers, which we assessed using 192 samples from 21 populations. Set 2 included six previously reported markers, which we assessed using 881 samples from 29 populations. The Set 1 MS markers had lower polymorphism (polymorphic information content (PIC) < 0.5) than the Set 2 markers (PIC = 0.4–0.9). In all populations, the LEI0258 marker was the most polymorphic, with a total of 38 alleles (PIC = 0.912, expected heterozygosity (He) = 0.918). Local populations from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nigeria had higher allele diversity and more haplotypes for Set 2 MS markers than Korean and commercial populations. The Sri Lankan Karuwalagaswewa village population had the highest MHC diversity (mean allele number = 8.17, He = 0.657), whereas the white leghorn population had the lowest (mean allele number = 2.33, He = 0.342). A total of 409 haplotypes (89 shared and 320 unique), with a range of 4 (Rhode Island red) to 46 (Karuwalagaswewa village (TA)), were identified. Among the shared haplotypes, the B21-like haplotype was identified in 15 populations. The genetic relationship observed in a neighbour-joining tree based on the DA distance agreed with the breeding histories and geographic separations. The results indicated high MHC diversity in the local chicken populations. The difference in the allelic pattern among populations presumably reflects the effects of different genotypes, environments, geographic variation, and breeding policies in each country. The selection of MHC allele in domestic poultry can vary due to intensification of poultry production. Preserved MHC diversity in local chicken provides a great opportunity for future studies that address the relationships between MHC polymorphisms and differential immune responses.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S477-S477
Author(s):  
Margaret Cooper ◽  
Jing Zhao

Abstract Background Due to the high incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) at the Detroit Medical Center, vancomycin is now routinely part of the prophylaxis regimen for cardiothoracic (CT) surgery. The study aims to compare the rate and types of surgical site infections (SSIs) when vancomycin is added to cefazolin for CT surgery compared to cefazolin alone. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study conducted at two university-affiliated hospitals. Patients who underwent CT surgery between January 2008 and August 2017 and had a readmission for SSI within 90 days of procedure were included. Patients who received cefazolin were compared to patients who received both cefazolin and vancomycin for CT surgery prophylaxis. The primary outcome was incidence of SSIs within 90 days of surgery as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and National Healthcare Safety Network. Results Out of 828 patients who underwent CT surgeries, there were 32 patients readmitted within 90 days for SSI. SSI occurred in 4.7% of patients who received cefazolin monotherapy, and 2.4% of patients who received both cefazolin and vancomycin (p=0.095). There was no discernible difference in types of SSI between groups. Pathogens were isolated in 78% of SSIs, with 75% Gram-positive and 19% Gram-negative organisms. SSIs resulted in an average 9.8 days in the hospital and 28.9 days of antibiotic therapy, and led to a total of 15 additional procedures. Conclusion Vancomycin added to cefazolin for prophylaxis in CT surgery resulted in lower incidence of SSI, however the difference was not statistically significant. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


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