A portable negative pressure unit reduces bone cement fumes in a simulated operating room

Abstract

In this report, we demonstrate a versatile method for the removal of bone cement fumes from the vicinity of health care workers in a simulated operating room. The mixing of two component bone cement in the perimeter of an operating room releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The use of localized negative pressure within proximity of the mixing vessel is expected to reduce the concentration of VOCs dispersed near the airway of operating room personnel. A standard two component bone cement formulation was mixed in the perimeter of a simulated operating room. A median VOC concentration of 19 ppm was detected with a portable VOC detector. When a portable negative pressure unit was stationed near the mixing area at distances of 8 and 36 cm from the mixing vessel, the median VOC rise was reduced by approximately 97% and 83%, respectively, relative to the control. The use of a portable negative pressure unit provides a potential increase in the safety for all staff when working with materials that give off VOCs in the operating room.

Removal of indoor aerosol particles generated in a medically relevant space using a portable airborne particle filtration device

“…30 PF devices designed for point-source decontamination have recently been used to reduce airborne concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from electrosurgical plume 31 and bone cement fumes. 32 Despite heightened awareness and the promise of PF devices to improve safety in nosocomial settings, their use in reducing bioaerosols in ORs has received little attention. [33][34][35] Recently, the effectiveness of a PF device at removing expelled aerosol particles generated in an OR was reported.…”

A peripherally located air recirculation device containing an activated carbon filter reduces VOC levels in a simulated operating room

“…FDA approved portable air filtration systems are currently in use in nosocomial settings and have been shown to effectively remove various contaminants. [37][38][39][40] It is of interest to show that the decontamination abilities of these types of devices are extended to VOC removal in OR spaces. As noted above, OR environments generate many VOCs.…”

A Peripherally Located Air Recirculation Device Containing an Activated Carbon Filter Reduces VOC Levels in a Simulated Operating Room

“…It is necessary to assess the efficiency of VOC removal in application-oriented studies, particularly in OR settings where the air is subject to heavy contamination and hence compromises the environment of care. FDA approved portable air filtration systems are currently in use in nosocomial settings and have been shown to effectively remove various contaminants. − It is of interest to show that the decontamination abilities of these types of devices are extended to VOC removal in OR spaces. Experiments that interface activated carbon with air cleaning devices operating at relatively high air flow in healthcare settings will elucidate the potential benefits of adoption.…”