Effects of forced air warming systems on the airflow and sanitation quality of
operating rooms with non-laminar airflow systems
#MMPMID32838049
Shirozu K
; Takamori S
; Setoguchi H
; Yamaura K
Perioper Care Oper Room Manag
2020[Dec]; 21
(?): 100119
PMID32838049
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BACKGROUND: : Previous studies have demonstrated that forced air warming (FAW)
can be used safely in operating rooms with laminar airflow (LAF) ventilation
systems. However, the effects of FAW on the airflow at surgical sites under
non-LAF (nLAF) ventilation systems remain unclear, as nLAF systems generate
outlet-to-inlet multidirectional airflows of the air conditioning system. Here,
we evaluate the effects of FAW on the airflow and sanitation quality in surgical
fields with nLAF ventilation systems. METHODS: : The airflow speed and direction
were measured using a three-dimensional ultrasonic anemometer. Sanitation quality
was evaluated by measuring the amount of dust particles after the activation of
air conditioning. RESULTS: : FAW caused no meaningful airflow (> 10 cm/sec) and
did not diminish the sanitation quality in the surgical field separated by the
anesthesia screen. Above the head area, the upward FAW airflow was not
counteracted by nLAF, which caused an upward airflow at the edges of the
operating table, originating from outside of the operating table and the floor.
CONCLUSIONS: : Sanitation quality was kept under FAW working even in an
nLAF-equipped OR. According to the inlet/outlet layouts of nLAF, the upward
FAW-induced airflow in the head area was not counteracted, and the upward airflow
from the floor induced by the air conditioner outlet could be detected.
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