COVID-19 Pandemic and Debates on the Design of Operating Theatre Ventilation Systems in Healthcare Facilities

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on providing Trauma and Orthopedic surgery around the world. The orthopedic community had to reconfigure emergency and urgent trauma services safely but also support strategies to prevent person-to-person coronavirus transmission. Various organizations including British Orthopedic Association (BOA), American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) and Public Health England (PHE) have provided guidelines for conducting safe essential surgery in operating theatres. One of the areas that have not been debated enough is the type of ventilation systems that should be used in operating theatres during this global pandemic. We review the current evidence in the literature particularly in the challenges faced by health care professionals in current COVID-19 pandemic in deciding and implementing an effective operating theatre ventilation system protecting both our patients and operating room personnel.