|  | Surgeries Operations | Operations

American Hospital Association Operating Room Ventilation Requirements

The American Hospital Association (AHA) recommends certain guidelines related to operating room ventilation. Operating rooms must keep air circulating at all times and all devices must remain sterile. Ventilation requirements are enacted so air does not become stagnant and all operating devices remain bacteria free. The AHA also has standards related to the ventilation of operating room disinfectants.

  1. Laminar Flow

    • Laminar flow systems prevent infections.

      Laminar flow systems are "ultraclean" systems designed to recirculate the air in an operating room between 20 and 300 times per hour. According to the National Institute of Health, laminar systems are long-tested, proven systems required to minimize dust. The use of laminar systems in modern orthopedic operating rooms maintains positive pressure to minimized infective microorganisms in the air. Having laminar systems operating at continuous flow help to prevent operative and post-operative wound infections.

    Respirators and Masks

    • The use of respirators and masks is also recommended in conjunction with ventilation systems. Requiring the use of respirators offers extra protection for patients from exhaust system chemicals and, according to the AHA, in emergency situations (i.e. exposure to tuberculosis) respirators should even be worn by health care workers. Masks must also be worn by all doctors, nurses and aids in the operating room to prevent bacteria from the mouths of medical professionals from corrupting sterile devices. These requirements are of particular importance in joint prosthesis surgery where postponed and substantial post-operative infections can result at great cost to both patients and medical care providers.

    Disinfectant Exhaust Systems

    • As part of the ventilation requirements for operating rooms, the AHA recommends the use of disinfectants and disinfectant exhaust systems. Using disinfectants helps to keep air sanitized and free from the buildup of microorganism colonies--although using them improperly can affect a patient's central nervous system. Exhaust systems are designed to pump and circulate disinfectant chemicals out of the room and require 6 to 12 air flow changes per hour. Exhaust systems are especially important to sustaining negative pressure in operating rooms (i.e. withdrawing air from the room) and to aid in the overall flow of air.

Operations - Related Articles