Preliminary study of the air quality in operating rooms: do textiles have a role?

Totaro, Michele; Canale, A; Filippetti, Elisa; Tulipani, Alberto; Quattrone, Filippo; Giorgi, Serena; Costa, Anna Laura; Valentini, Paola; Casini, Beatrice; Privitera, Gaetano Pierpaolo; Baggiani, Angelo

doi:10.1016/j.jhin.2018.04.012

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Several studies report the lack of air quality control in operating rooms as a key factor for surgical site infections following the most common general surgery procedures [1,2]. Surgical site infection accounts for 13%–17% of the total amount of nosocomial infections.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbiological Air Quality in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems of Surgical and Intensive Care Areas: The Application of a Disinfection Procedure for Dehumidification Devices

et al. 2019

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International literature data report that the increase of infectious risk may be due to heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems contaminated by airborne pathogens. Moreover, the presence of complex rotating dehumidification wheels (RDWs) may complicate the cleaning and disinfection procedures of the HVAC systems. We evaluated the efficacy of a disinfection strategy applied to the RDW of two hospitals’ HVAC systems. Hospitals have four RDW systems related to the surgical areas (SA1 and SA2) and to the intensive and sub-intensive care (IC and sIC) units. Microbiological air and surface analyses were performed in HVAC systems, before and after the disinfection treatment. Hydrogen peroxide (12%) with silver ions (10 mg/L) was aerosolized in all the air sampling points, located close to the RDW device. After the air disinfection procedure, reductions of total microbial counts at 22 °C and molds were achieved in SA2 and IC HVAC systems. An Aspergillus fumigatus contamination (6 CFU/500 L), detected in one air sample collected in the IC HVAC system, was eradicated after the disinfection. The surface samples proved to be of good microbiological quality. The results suggest the need for a disinfection procedure to improve the microbiological quality of the complex HVAC systems, mostly in surgical and intensive care areas.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbiological Air Quality in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems of Surgical and Intensive Care Areas: The Application of a Disinfection Procedure for Dehumidification Devices

et al. 2019

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“…Particles smaller than 5 μm remain suspended in the air, while those larger than 100 μm settle rapidly, and those of an intermediate size (5–100 μm) may settle on potentially contaminated surfaces and then migrate to other sites [ 34 ]. Particles may carry variable bacterial loads, depending on their source [ 35 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of the Cleaning Procedure Efficacy in Prevention of Nosocomial Infections in Healthcare Facilities Using Cultural Method Associated with High Sensitivity Luminometer for ATP Detection

et al. 2018

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In healthcare facilities, environmental surfaces may be a reservoir of infectious agents even though cleaning and disinfection practices play a role in the control of healthcare-associated infections. In this study, the effectiveness of cleaning/disinfection procedures has been evaluated in two hospital areas, which have different risk category classifications. According to the contract with the cleaning service, after the daily ambulatory activities, the housekeeping staff apply an alcohol-based detergent followed by a chlorine-based disinfectant (2% Antisapril, Angelini; 540 mg/L active chlorine), properly diluted and sprayed. The contract provides for the use of disposable microfiber wipes which must be replaced with new ones in each health out-patient department. Surface contamination was analyzed using cultural methods and ATP detection, performed with a high-sensitivity luminometer. The values 100 CFU/cm2 and 40 RLU/cm2 were considered as the threshold values for medium-risk category areas, while 250 CFU/cm2 and 50 RLU/cm2 were defined for the low-risk category ones. Air quality was evaluated using active and passive sampling microbiological methods and particle count (0.3 μm–10 μm) detection. The cleaning/disinfection procedure reduced the medium bacterial counts from 32 ± 56 CFU/cm2 to 2 ± 3 CFU/cm2 in the low-risk area and from 25 ± 40 CFU/cm2 to 7 ± 11 CFU/cm2 in the medium-risk one. Sample numbers exceeding the threshold values decreased from 3% and 13% to 1% and 5%, respectively. RLU values also showed a reduction in the samples above the thresholds from 76% to 13% in the low-risk area. From the air samples collected using the active method, we observed a reduction of 60% in wound care and 53% in an ambulatory care visit. From the air samples collected using the passive method, we highlighted a 71.4% and 50% reduction in microbial contamination in the medium-risk area and in the low-risk one, respectively. The 10 μm size particle counts decreased by 52.7% in wound care and by 63% in the ambulatory care visit. Correct surface sanitation proved crucial for the reduction of microbial contamination in healthcare settings, and plays an important role in ensuring air quality in hospital settings.

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“…Several studies report a lack of air quality control in operating rooms as a key factor for the surgical site infections following the most common general surgery procedures [1,2]. Surgical site infection accounts for 13%-17% of the total amount of nosocomial infections.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbiological Air Quality in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems of Surgical and Intensive Care Areas: Application of a Disinfection Procedure for the Dehumidification Devices

Totaro¹,

Costa²,

Casini³

et al. 2018

Preprint

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International literature data report that the increase of infectious risk may be due to heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems contaminated by airborne pathogens. Moreover, the presence of complex rotating dehumidification wheels (RDWs) may complicate the cleaning and disinfection procedures of the HVAC systems. We evaluated the efficacy of a disinfection strategy applied to the RDW of two hospitals HVAC systems. Hospitals have 4 RDW systems related to the surgical areas (SA1 and SA2) and to the intensive and sub-intensive cares (IC and sIC). Microbiological air and surfaces analysis were performed in HVAC systems, before and after the disinfection treatment. Hydrogen peroxide (12%) with silver ions (10 mg/L) was aerosolized in all the air sampling points, located close to the RDW device. After the air disinfection procedure, reductions of total microbial counts at 22°C and fungi were achieved in SA2 and IC HVAC systems. An Aspergillus fumigatus contamination (6 CFU/500L), detected in one air sample collected in the IC HVAC system, was eradicated after the disinfection. Surface samples proved a good microbiological quality. Results suggest the need of a disinfection procedure aimed to improve the microbiological quality of the complex HVAC systems, mostly in surgical and intensive care areas.

show abstract

Preliminary study of the air quality in operating rooms: do textiles have a role?

Cited by 3 publications

References 3 publications

Microbiological Air Quality in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems of Surgical and Intensive Care Areas: The Application of a Disinfection Procedure for Dehumidification Devices

Microbiological Air Quality in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems of Surgical and Intensive Care Areas: The Application of a Disinfection Procedure for Dehumidification Devices

Evaluation of the Cleaning Procedure Efficacy in Prevention of Nosocomial Infections in Healthcare Facilities Using Cultural Method Associated with High Sensitivity Luminometer for ATP Detection

Microbiological Air Quality in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems of Surgical and Intensive Care Areas: Application of a Disinfection Procedure for the Dehumidification Devices

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