Operating Room Air May Harbor Pathogens: The Role of an Ultraviolet Air Filtration Unit


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Fernández-Rodríguez D., Tarabichi S., Golankiewicz K., Zappley N., PARVİZİ J.

Journal of Arthroplasty, cilt.39, sa.11, ss.2857-2862, 2024 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 39 Sayı: 11
  • Basım Tarihi: 2024
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.arth.2024.05.072
  • Dergi Adı: Journal of Arthroplasty
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Aerospace Database, CINAHL, Communication Abstracts, MEDLINE, Metadex, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.2857-2862
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: arthroplasty, contamination, operating room, sterilization, surgical site infection
  • Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Background: One important factor for the prevention of surgical site infections is ultraclean air in the operating room (OR). Still, the direct sterilization potential of most technologies, especially in a dynamic clinical setting, is not well understood. We aimed to determine and compare the microbial presence from the inlet and outlet flow of a filtration unit with crystalline ultraviolet-C (C-UVC) light. Methods: A prospective study was conducted at a single institution, where primary total joint arthroplasty and spine surgeries were performed. The OR was fitted with a positive ventilation system. In addition, a filtration unit with a C-UVC sterilizing light was placed in the OR. The inlet and outlet air flows were swabbed simultaneously and compared. Swabs were processed for culture and next-generation sequencing. Results: The mean length of the surgical procedures sampled was 68 ± 13 minutes. Overall, 19 out of 200 (9.5%) swabs isolated microorganisms. Inlet air swabs were positive at a higher rate (16 versus 3%; P <.01) compared to the outlet air swabs. A wide variety of Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and anaerobic bacteria were isolated, but fungi were only recovered from inlet air swabs. The detection of microorganisms was also higher when more door openings were performed (32.5 ± 7.1 versus 27.9 ± 5.6; P <.01). Conclusions: Air swabs mainly isolated microorganisms from the inlet flow to the filtration unit with a C-UVC light. The sterilizing unit counteracted factors affecting the air quality in the OR, namely door openings, surgical personnel, and tissue combustion.