Analysis of indoor air quality in surgical operating rooms using experimental and numerical investigations

Najla El Gharbi,Essam Eldin Khalil,Ahmed Benzaoui,Ramiz Kameel

doi:10.1051/meca/2011151

Abstract

The present work fosters experimental measurements and mathematical modelling techniques to primarily determine the thermal and the relative humidity characteristics in the air-conditioned surgical operating room. The present work also demonstrates the effect of the various designs of surgical operating rooms and operational parameters on the flow pattern and temperatures characteristics. This study is a part of a more comprehensive investigation of the more important factors affecting the air environments in surgical operating room. Measured and predicted temperatures and relative humidity profiles are shown to be in good agreement. The present paper introduces several recommendations regarding the optimum design requirements of operating rooms to provide hygiene and comfort environment. Low humidity affects comfort and health. The present work offers examples of measured relative humidity profiles in an operating room in (New Kasr El-Aini Teaching Hospital – 1200 beds – Cairo University – Egypt). These experimental results were carried out to verify the proposed numerical procedure and particularly in the vicinity of the supply outlets and operating table.

Highlights

Hospitals and other health care facilities are complex environments that require ventilation for comfort and to control hazardous emissions
Indoor air quality is more critical in health care facilities due to many dangerous microbial and chemical agents present and the increased susceptibility of the patients
It indicates the positions of the supply air outlets relative to operating table, which was located in the center of the room

Summary

Introduction

Hospitals and other health care facilities are complex environments that require ventilation for comfort and to control hazardous emissions. Indoor air quality is more critical in health care facilities due to many dangerous microbial and chemical agents present and the increased susceptibility of the patients. To build ventilation system that is capable of efficiently fulfilling all requirements, often even contradictory, is a great challenge. The importance of good indoor climate is not yet unanimously recognized. Nosocomial infections due to contaminated air continue to cause unnecessary costs and sufferings, and health care personnal remain subject to several occupational exposure risks. Indoor climate fails often to be comfortable

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Conclusion