Are Intra-operative Forced Air Warming Devices a Possible Source for Contamination During Hand Surgery?

Area of Science:

• Infection control in surgical environments
• Microbiology of operating rooms
• Healthcare-associated infection prevention

Background:

• Forced air warming (FAW) devices are standard for patient temperature management in operating rooms.
• Concerns exist regarding FAW devices as potential sources of surgical site infections (SSIs) and contamination.
• Conflicting evidence necessitates further investigation into FAW's role in operating room contamination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the potential for bacterial contamination from forced air warming (FAW) devices in operating rooms.
• To determine if FAW devices contribute to airborne bacterial levels in the surgical field.
• To assess the risk of SSIs associated with FAW device usage.

Main Methods:

• 144 petri dishes were randomized into control and experimental groups (72 each).
• Dishes were placed at three locations (floor, table, operative limb) and sampled at 1, 2, and 3 hours.
• Bacterial growth was analyzed after 48 hours; FAW device hoses were also cultured.

Main Results:

• No bacterial growth was observed from FAW device hose cultures.
• No significant difference in airborne bacteria was found at 1 hour.
• Increased bacterial counts were noted near the operative limb at 2 hours and on the floor at 3 hours in the experimental group, but overall differences were not significant.

Conclusions:

• The study did not find a statistically significant risk of contamination from FAW devices.
• Study limitations include the absence of operating room staff during testing.
• Further research in active operating rooms with simulated staff movement is recommended to validate findings.