Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-x5gtn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-05-11T02:42:15.086Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

A Road Map to a Comprehensive Regulation on Ventilation Technology for Operating Rooms

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Santina Iudicello*
Affiliation:
Department of Technologies and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanita, Rome, Italy
Antonello Fadda
Affiliation:
Department of Technologies and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanita, Rome, Italy
*
viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy (santina.iudicello@iss.it)

Abstract

Among strategies to reduce surgical site infection (SSI) risk, we concentrate on the optimization of the air quality through the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Current ventilation standards applied by some European countries have been compared and show uncertainty in the criteria for dimensioning the HVAC system. The development of a comprehensive regulation needs further discussion.

Type
Concise Communication
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2013

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Biscione, FM. Rates of surgical site infection as a performance measure: are we ready? World J Gastrointest Surg 2009;1(1):1115.Google Scholar
2.Whyte, W, Hodgson, R, Tinkler, J. The importance of airborne bacterial contamination of wounds. J Hosp Infect 1982;3(2):123135.Google Scholar
3.Lidwell, OM, Lowbury, ET, Whyte, W, Blowers, R, Stanley, SJ, Lowe, D. Airborne contamination of wounds in joint replacement operations: the relationship to sepsis rate. J Hosp Infect 1983;4(2): 111131.Google Scholar
4.Andersson, AE, Bergh, I, Karlsson, J, Ericsson, BI, Nilsson, K. Traffic flow in the operating room: an explorative and descriptive study on air quality during orthopaedic trauma implant surgery. Am J Infect Control 2012;40(8):750755. doi: 10.1016/ajic.2011.09.015.Google Scholar
5. Association Française de Normalisation. NF S 90-351: 2003-06. Health care establishments: cleanrooms and associated controlled environments-requirements for the control of airborne contamination. Paris: Association Française de Normalisation, 2003.Google Scholar
6. Ente Nazionale Italiano di Unificazione. UNI 11425: 2011-09. Surgery operating theatre, ventilation and air-conditioning system for contamination control (VCCC): design, construction, commissioning, qualification, management and maintenance. Milan: Ente Nazionale Italiano di Unificazione, 2011.Google Scholar
7.Deutsches Institut für Normung. DIN 1946-4:2008-12. Ventilation and air conditioning-part4: ventilation in buildings and rooms of health care. Berlin: Deutsches Institut fur Normung, 2008.Google Scholar
8.Department of Health. HTM 03-01:2007. Heating and ventilation systems-specialised ventilation for healthcare premises, part A: design and validation. London: Department of Health, 2007.Google Scholar
9.International Standards Organization. ISO 14644-1:1999. Clean-rooms and associated controlled environment, part 1: classification of air cleanliness. Geneva, Switzerland: International Standard Organization, 1999.Google Scholar
10.Breier, AC, Brandt, C, Sohr, D, Geffers, C, Gastmeier, P. Laminar airflow ceiling size: no impact on infection rates following hip and knee prosthesis. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2011;32(11): 10971102.Google Scholar