Experimental and computational evaluation of airborne bacteria in hospital operating rooms with high airflows

• Post-operative infections after surgery can be decreased by the use of efficient ventilation with clean air. In this study, we investigated three types of operating room ventilation: turbulent mixed airflow(TMA), laminar airflow (LAF) and a new type of ventilation named temperature controlled airflow(TcAF). Measurements of airborne bacteria were made during surgery and compared with values calculated by computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The results show that LAF and TcAF are most efficient in removing bacteria around the patient. With LAF, there are large differences in bacterial loads, depending on location in the room.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Samhällsbyggnadsteknik -- Arkitekturteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Civil Engineering -- Architectural Engineering (hsv//eng)

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Maskinteknik -- Teknisk mekanik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Mechanical Engineering -- Applied Mechanics (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Hälso- och sjukvårdsorganisation, hälsopolitik och hälsoekonomi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Health Care Service and Management, Health Policy and Services and Health Economy (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Bioaerosols

airborne disease

hospital infection

clean room

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

kon (subject category)