Effect of a portable ultra-clean exponential airflow unit on the particle distribution in an operating room

Abstract

The effects of a mobile laminar airflow unit on the concentration, deposition and distribution of bacteria-carrying particles in an operating room are investigated. The exploration is carried out using numerical calculation schemes (computational fluid dynamics approach). The model validation was performed through result comparisons with published measurement data from literature. Two types of mobile screen units were evaluated as an extension of turbulent-mixing operating-room ventilation. Airborne particle concentration/sedimentation was recorded with and without a screen unit on the operating table and two instrument tables. Both active and passive air sampling were examined and the results are compared. It was found that the additional mobile ultra-clean laminar airflow unit reduces the counts of airborne bacteria and surface contamination to a level acceptable for infection-prone surgeries.