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Effect of mobile unidirectional air flow unit on microbial contamination of air in standard urologic procedures
Stefania Ferretti1, Cesira Pasquarella, Samanta Fornia
1Urology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy. sferretti@ao.pr.it
Background:
Infection is one of the most feared complications of surgery. New instrumentation is being developed to reduce deposition of bacteria.
Methods:
We investigated 45 major surgical procedures (21 radical nephrectomies [RN] and 24 radical retropubic prostatectomies [RRP]) in our urology department during 2007. In about one-half of the interventions, an ultraclean air flow mobile (UAF) unit was used. Bacterial sedimentation was evaluated by nitrocellulose membranes placed on the instrument tray and by settle plates positioned at four points in the operating room. In 27 operations, an additional membrane was located near the incision.
Results:
Bacterial counts on the nitrocellulose membranes during RN were 230 colony-forming units (cfu)/m(2)/h with the UAF unit and 2,254 cfu/m(2)/h without the unit (p = 0.001). During RRP, the values were 288 cfu/m(2)/h and 3,126 cfu/m(2)/h respectively (p = 0.001). The membrane placed near the incision during RN showed a microbial count of 1,235 cfu/m(2)/h with the UAF unit and 5,093 cfu/m(2)/h without the unit (p = 0.002); during RRP, the values were 1,845 cfu/m(2)/h and 3,790 cfu/m(2)/h, respectively (difference not significant). Bacterial contamination detected by settle plates during RN showed a mean value of 2,273 cfu/m(2)/h when the UAF unit was used and 2,054 cfu/m(2)/h without the unit; during RRP, the values were 2,332 cfu/m(2)/h and 2,629 cfu/m(2)/h with and without the UAF unit, respectively (NS). No statistically significant differences were detected in the clinical data registered in patients operated on under standard conditions and while the UAF unit was functioning.
Conclusions:
The UAF appears able to reduce microbial contamination at the operating table, reaching a bacterial number obtained in ultraclean operating theatres.
Insights
The ultraclean air flow (UAF) mobile unit significantly reduced bacterial contamination during major urologic surgeries. This new technology helps achieve ultraclean conditions, lowering infection risks for patients undergoing procedures like radical nephrectomies and prostatectomies.
Area of Science:
- Surgical Safety and Infection Control
- Medical Device Technology
- Microbiology in Healthcare
Background:
- Surgical site infections are a major concern, increasing patient morbidity and healthcare costs.
- Development of innovative technologies aims to minimize bacterial contamination during surgical procedures.
- Reducing bacterial deposition is crucial for improving surgical outcomes and patient safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of an ultraclean air flow (UAF) mobile unit in reducing bacterial contamination during major urological surgeries.
- To compare bacterial sedimentation levels with and without the use of the UAF unit in radical nephrectomies (RN) and radical retropubic prostatectomies (RRP).
- To assess the impact of the UAF unit on microbial counts at the instrument tray and near the surgical incision.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 45 major urological procedures (21 RN, 24 RRP) was conducted.
- An ultraclean air flow (UAF) mobile unit was utilized in approximately half of the interventions.
- Bacterial sedimentation was measured using nitrocellulose membranes on instrument trays and settle plates, with additional membranes placed near incisions.
Main Results:
- The UAF unit significantly reduced bacterial counts on instrument tray membranes during RN (230 vs. 2,254 cfu/m(2)/h, p=0.001) and RRP (288 vs. 3,126 cfu/m(2)/h, p=0.001).
- Near-incision bacterial counts were also significantly reduced during RN with the UAF unit (1,235 vs. 5,093 cfu/m(2)/h, p=0.002).
- Settle plate results and near-incision counts for RRP did not show statistically significant differences, and no clinical differences were observed between groups.
Conclusions:
- The ultraclean air flow (UAF) mobile unit effectively reduces microbial contamination on the operating table.
- The UAF unit helps achieve bacterial levels comparable to those in ultraclean operating theaters.
- This technology shows promise in enhancing surgical site safety and potentially lowering infection rates.
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