The Influence of Surgical Staff Behavior on Air Quality in a Conventionally Ventilated Operating Theatre during a Simulated Arthroplasty: A Case Study at the University Hospital of Parma

Cesira Pasquarella, Carla Balocco, Maria Eugenia Colucci, Elisa Saccani, Samuel Paroni, Lara Albertini, Pietro Vitali and Roberto Albertini
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Cesira Pasquarella: Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, via Volturno, 39, 43125 Parma, Italy
Carla Balocco: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Florence, via S. Marta 3, 50139 Firenze, Italy
Maria Eugenia Colucci: Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, via Volturno, 39, 43125 Parma, Italy
Elisa Saccani: Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, via Volturno, 39, 43125 Parma, Italy
Samuel Paroni: Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, via Volturno, 39, 43125 Parma, Italy
Lara Albertini: Freelance Architect, 43126 Parma, Italy
Pietro Vitali: Hygiene Unit, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, via Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy
Roberto Albertini: Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, via Volturno, 39, 43125 Parma, Italy

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 2, 1-14

Abstract: Surgical staff behavior in operating theatres is one of the factors associated with indoor air quality and surgical site infection risk. The aim of this study was to apply an approach including microbiological, particle, and microclimate parameters during two simulated surgical hip arthroplasties to evaluate the influence of staff behavior on indoor air quality. During the first hip arthroplasty, the surgical team behaved correctly, but in the second operation, behavioral recommendations were not respected. Microbiological contamination was evaluated by active and passive methods. The air velocity, humidity, temperature, and CO 2 concentration were also monitored. The highest levels of microbial and particle contamination, as well as the highest variation in the microclimate parameter, were recorded during the surgical operation where the surgical team behaved “incorrectly”. Turbulent air flow ventilation systems appeared more efficient than in the past and very low air microbial contamination was reached when behavior was correct. Therefore, adherence to behavioral recommendations in operating theatres is essential to not undermine the effectiveness of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems and employed resources.

Keywords: operating theatre; hip arthroplasty; indoor air quality; biological monitoring; particle counting; microclimatic monitoring; surgical staff behavior (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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