Don't Let Our Operating Theatre to Be Desert

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The purpose of this study is to reveal the waste of water by medical staff hand scrubbing preoperatively in the operation theatre, draw attention to the water consumption with small precautions. The study compares motion-sensitive sensor tap with an uncensored classic tap, to assess the difference of water consumption during hand scrubbing. MATERIAL AND METHODS The presented study compared two groups; hand scrubbing with sensory tap was enrolled as group A and classic tap with running water was enrolled as group B. Three participants were included in each group. Operation faucets with a motion-sensitive sensor and timekeeper were used in group A. Running water from a tap in 10 seconds was measured with the help of a measuring cup. The water amount after 3 minutes of washing was also measured. The difference between the two obtained data was compared. The obtained data were also multiplied to the global surgical data. RESULTS Measurements were performed with a measuring cup and it was measured that 1,250 ml of water is running from faucets in 10 seconds. In group A, faucets were open for 23 seconds whereas in group B faucets were open for 180 seconds. In group A, water utilization was 2,875 ml per person (8,625 ml for three), in group B was the water utilization of 22,500 ml per person (67,500 ml for three). Regarding this data for a single operation, the consumption difference between the two groups was measured as 58,875 ml. The total count of major surgery worldwide per year is reported to 321,500,000. When this number is multiplied with the obtained data, it is calculated that the total amount of water to be saved between the two groups is 18,928,313 m3. That is equal to one year of water consumption of a city with 125,000 inhabitants. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, as healthcare professionals, it is possible to save enough water as a medium-sized city by changing our handwashing habits in the operation rooms. As a result, water-conserving systems and hand scrubbing education can be very effective in using the natural resources economically and protecting these resources. Key words: water, operation theatre, washing.