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A microbiologist's view of commissioning operating theatres
J Holton1, G L Ridgway, A J Reynoldson
1Department of Microbiology, University College and Middlesex School of Medicine, London.
The Journal of Hospital Infection
|July 1, 1990
Summary
Microbiological testing of operating theatres over 10 years shows air monitoring detects faults. Close cooperation between microbiologists and engineers is vital for effective theatre ventilation and upgrades.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare-associated infections
- Hospital engineering
- Microbiology
Background:
- Operating theatre environments require stringent microbial control.
- Previous monitoring methods may not fully capture environmental risks.
- Long-term data is crucial for understanding trends in operating theatre hygiene.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze a decade of microbiological testing data from operating theatres.
- To identify key indicators of operating theatre environmental faults.
- To provide recommendations for improving operating theatre monitoring and maintenance.
Main Methods:
- Review of 10-year microbiological testing records.
- Analysis of air flow patterns and microbial load (bioload) in theatre air.
- Correlation of microbiological findings with theatre infrastructure and maintenance.
Main Results:
- Microbiological monitoring effectively detects significant faults in operating theatres.
- Air flow direction and bioload are critical parameters for assessing theatre safety.
- Identified need for enhanced collaboration in monitoring theatre environments.
Conclusions:
- Regular microbiological testing is essential for maintaining safe operating theatre conditions.
- Close collaboration between microbiologists and hospital engineers is recommended for effective commissioning and upgrading.
- Supervision of contract work, especially ventilation systems, is crucial to prevent microbial contamination.