Risk factors for particulate and microbial contamination of air in operating theatres

Scaltriti, Sara; Cencetti, S; Rovesti, Sergio; Marchesi, Isabella; Bargellini, Annalisa; Borella, Paola

doi:10.1016/j.jhin.2007.05.019

Cited by 163 publications

(119 citation statements)

References 15 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

108

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…This method has been studied as an indicator of hospital contamination (Scaltriti et al, 2007). ANOVA was also applied to test whether patient infection was statistically significant with indoor biocontamination.…”

Section: Microbial Isolation and Analytical Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Airborne and Surface-Bound Microbial Contamination in Two Intensive Care Units of a Medical Center in Central Taiwan

Huang

Shi

Chen

et al. 2013

Aerosol Air Qual. Res.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Samples of airborne and surface-bound microbial contamination were taken in two intensive care units of a large-scale medical center. Microbial analyses included total bacterial and fungal loads, as well as the four bacterial species of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii. Among the 114 surface samples taken from seven designated surface locations of room and equipment for each patient, P. aeruginosa was the most frequently detected (19.3%) and most abundant (mean count: 4.18 cfu/plate) bacterium, whereas the respirator represented the most heavily contaminated surface location in both total pathogenic bacteria colony counts (272 cfu) and frequency of positive detection (38.2%). P. aeruginosa also represented the most frequently detected (39.1%, n = 46) and abundant (11.52 ± 17.16 cfu/m 3 ) bacterium in the air samples (n = 46), and was the only bacterium exhibiting a positive correlation of the mean counts between air and surface samples. The data analysis results further suggested a higher value of relative risk among the infected patients in the presence of the pathogens as compared to those in the absence of them, although the evidence of a of correlation for the individual bacterial species between the environmental samples and infected patients was inconclusive. This study also found that the mean airborne counts and the detection frequencies of these bacteria after patient visitation periods were higher than those before visitation, and that the installation of local air ionizers did not lead to any discernible differences in total bacterial and fungal concentrations.

show abstract

Section: Microbial Isolation and Analytical Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Airborne and Surface-Bound Microbial Contamination in Two Intensive Care Units of a Medical Center in Central Taiwan

Huang

Shi

Chen

et al. 2013

Aerosol Air Qual. Res.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…There is, however, few data about the air quality in hospitals in developing and transition countries where factors such as hospital design, deficiency or improper control of high efficiency filtration systems and overcrowding can impact on the presence and concentration of airborne microorganisms. In addition, routine air biomonitoring of hospitals is time-consuming, labour intensive and is valid only for the moment and location of collection [9]. It has been suggested that particle counting could be used as a faster and simpler alternative.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It has been suggested that particle counting could be used as a faster and simpler alternative. However, its value in the prediction of airborne bacteria in various parts of hospital environments has rarely been investigated [7,9,10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Monitoring of airborne bacteria and aerosols in different wards of hospitals – Particle counting usefulness in investigation of airborne bacteria

Mirhoseini¹,

Nikaeen²,

Khanahmd³

et al. 2015

Ann Agric Environ Med.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Introduction and objective. The presence of airborne bacteria in hospital environments is of great concern because of their potential role as a source of hospital-acquired infections (HAI). The aim of this study was the determination and comparison of the concentration of airborne bacteria in different wards of four educational hospitals, and evaluation of whether particle counting could be predictive of airborne bacterial concentration in different wards of a hospital. Materials and method. The study was performed in an operating theatre (OT), intensive care unit (ICU), surgery ward (SW) and internal medicine (IM) ward of four educational hospitals in Isfahan, Iran. A total of 80 samples were analyzed for the presence of airborne bacteria and particle levels. Results. The average level of bacteria ranged from 75-1194 CFU/m 3 . Mean particle levels were higher than class 100,000 cleanrooms in all wards. A significant correlation was observed between the numbers of 1-5 µm particles and levels of airborne bacteria in operating theatres and ICUs. The results showed that factors which may influence the airborne bacterial level in hospital environments should be properly managed to minimize the risk of HAIs especially in operating theaters. Conclusions. Microbial air contamination of hospital settings should be performed by the monitoring of airborne bacteria, but particle counting could be considered as a good operative method for the continuous monitoring of air quality in operating theaters and ICUs where higher risks of infection are suspected.

show abstract

“…The ability of ACH to remove hazardous substances below those of exposure standards was highlighted by Scott, Beswick, and Wakefield (2004) using 20 ACH. Other studies have identified the removal of particulate matter and surgical smoke at rates greater than 15 ACH (Scaltriti et al, 2007;Wan, Chung, & Tang, 2011). Scott et al (2004) noted that previous studies might have detected chemical substances because the ACH rates were lower than 20 during testing.…”

Section: Control Of Independent Variablesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Different tissues elicited different compounds with several respiratory irritants identified, but with lower exposure limits than OSHA standards Scaltriti, et al 2007 Air quality was measured during 23 surgical procedures with and ACH of 15.…”

Section: Cautery Co2 Lasermentioning

confidence: 99%

Is It Time for a More Systematic Approach to the Hazards of Surgical Smoke?: Reconsidering the Evidence

Mellor

Hutchinson²

2013

Workplace Health Saf

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Risk factors for particulate and microbial contamination of air in operating theatres

Cited by 163 publications

References 15 publications

Airborne and Surface-Bound Microbial Contamination in Two Intensive Care Units of a Medical Center in Central Taiwan

Airborne and Surface-Bound Microbial Contamination in Two Intensive Care Units of a Medical Center in Central Taiwan

Monitoring of airborne bacteria and aerosols in different wards of hospitals – Particle counting usefulness in investigation of airborne bacteria

Is It Time for a More Systematic Approach to the Hazards of Surgical Smoke?: Reconsidering the Evidence

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About