A novel mobile ultra clean laminar air flow screen as additional operating room ventilation reduces bacterial contamination to operating box levels

摘要

A novel concept in the form of a mobile screen supplying ultra-clean exponential laminar air flow (LAF) as an addition to basic operating room (OR) ventilation was evaluated. The bacteriological air and surface contamination with and without the screen was studied in an experimental model and during a series of 60 groin hernia operations. In both instances the screen highly significantly reduced both bacteriological air an surface contamination to the levels accepted for ultra clean LAF OR units, i.e. <10cfu/m~3 and 350 cfu/m~2/h. In addition, the same result was found in pilot studies from three independent hospitals during hip tumour and replacement surgery, lumbar disc surgery, plastic and tendon surgery. In conclusion, the mobile LAF screen seems to be an interesting alternative to full scale LAF OR units.