RT Journal
A1 Bechtol CO
T1 ENvironmental bacteriology in the unidirectional (vertical) operating room
JF Archives of Surgery
JO Archives of Surgery
YR 1979
FD July 1
VO 114
IS 7
SP 784
OP 788
DO 10.1001/archsurg.1979.01370310026006
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archsurg.1979.01370310026006
AB • An integrated body exhaust/clean air operating room system was evaluated in terms of the microbiologic and particulate contamination control it afforded. The clean air unit was of a vertical unidirectional airflow design and employed high-efficiency particulate air filters to provide air low in both microbes and particulates. The body exhaust portion of the system was composed of an exhaust tube under the surgeon's mask, a transparent plastic faceplate, and a microbe-retentive surgical gown and hood. Measurements were made of airborne and surface contamination at the wound site and of microbial burden levels associated with the surgical team. Sampling techniques were designed to parallel those used in a previous study of a horizontal flow/body exhaust system so as to provide comparative data on the effect of airflow configuration on wound site contamination. The data showed the vertical flow room to exhibit significantly lower (P <.05) contamination levels than the horizontal flow enclosure. Surgical lights, draping techniques, and personnel and material positioning unobstructive to the airstream were judged to be prime factors in reducing wound site contamination.(Arch Surg 114:784-788, 1979)