Hostname: page-component-7b7567c8c-2n9c9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-11-15T04:46:09.083Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Comparison of three ventilating systems in an operating room

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

O. M. Lidwell,
I. D. G. Richards and
S. Polakoff
O. M. Lidwell
Affiliation:
Cross-Infection Reference Laboratory, Central Public Health Laboratory, Colindale, London, N. W. 9
I. D. G. Richards
Affiliation:
Cross-Infection Reference Laboratory, Central Public Health Laboratory, Colindale, London, N. W. 9
S. Polakoff
Affiliation:
Cross-Infection Reference Laboratory, Central Public Health Laboratory, Colindale, London, N. W. 9
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Extract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the 'Save PDF' action button.

Observations on the bacteriological contamination of the air have been made in an operating room fitted with three alternative systems of ventilation.

These were; A, downward displacement ‘piston’; B, moderate velocity turbulent; C, low velocity turbulent.

The volume of the ventilating air supplied was the only characteristic of the ventilation which affected the contamination levels reached during operations. No significant differences could be detected between the three ventilating systems in this respect.

Unavoidable temperature differences in the operating room render it generally impossible to produce effective downward displacement air movement with ventilating air supplies which do not exceed 1500 ft.3 per minute over a ceiling area of 300 ft.2.

Great differences were observed between the several carriers of Staphylococcus aureus in the extent to which they dispersed this organism into the air when working in the operating room.

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 65 , Issue 2 , June 1967, pp. 193 - 205
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1967

References

Bernard, H. R., Speers, R., O'Grady, F. & Shooter, R. A. (1965). Reduction of dissemination of skin bacteria by modification of operating-room clothing and by ultra-violet irradiation. Lancet ii, 458.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bethune, D. W., Blowers, R., Parker, M. & Pask, E. A. (1965). Dispersal of Staphylococcus aureus by patients and surgical staff. Lancet i, 480.Google Scholar
Blowers, R. (1963). Operating-room practice. In Infection in Hospitals, pp. 199–205. Ed. Williams, R. E. O. and Shooter, R. A.. Oxford: Blackwell Scientific Publications.Google Scholar
Blowers, R. & Crew, B. (1960). Ventilation of operating-theatres. J. Hyg., Camb. 58, 427.Google ScholarPubMed
Blowers, R., MasonG, A. G, A., Wallace, K. R. & Walton, M. (1955). Control of wound infection in a thoracic surgery unit. Lancet ii, 786.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Blowers, R. & McCluskey, M. (1965). Design of operating-room dress for surgeons. Lancet ii, 681.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bourdillon, R. B. & Lidwell, O. M. (1948). Losses of particles during collection. Spec. Rep. Ser. med. Res. Goun. no. 262, p. 27.Google Scholar
Bourdillon, R. B., Lidwell, O. M. & Thomas, J. C. (1948). A large slit sampler for air containing few bacteria. Spec. Rep. Ser. med. Res. Coun. no. 262, p. 19.Google Scholar
Burke, J. F. (1963). Identification of the sources of staphylococci contaminating the surgical wound during operation. Ann. Surg. 158, 898.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lidwell, O. M. (1960). The evaluation of ventilation. J. Hyg., Camb. 58, 297.Google Scholar
Lidwell, O. M. & Williams, R. E. O. (1960). The ventilation of operating theatres. J. Hyg., Camb. 58, 449.Google ScholarPubMed
McNeillI, F. I, F., Porter, I. A. & Green, C. A. (1961). Staphylococcal infection in a surgical ward. Br. med. J. ii, 798.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Shooter, R. A., Taylor, G. W., Ellis, G. & Ross, Sir James Paterson. (1956). Post-operative wound infection. Surgery Gynec. Obstet. 103, 257.Google Scholar
Stanley, E. E., Shorter, D. N. & Cousins, P. J. (1964). A laboratory study of the downward displacement system of ventilation in operating theatres. Lab. Rep. Heat. Vent. Res. Ass. no. 19.Google Scholar