Microbial air contamination was evaluated in 11 operating theatres using active and passive samplings. SAS (Surface Air System) air sampling was used to evaluate cfu/m3 and settle plates were used to measure the index of microbial air contamination (IMA). Samplings were performed at the same time on three different days, at three different times (before, during and after the surgical activity). Two points were monitored (patient area and perimeter of the operating theatre). Moreover, the cfu/m3 were evaluated at the air inlet of the conditioner system. 74.7% of samplings performed at the air inlet and 66.7% of the samplings performed at the patient area before the beginning of the surgical activity (at rest) exceeded the 35 cfu/m3 used as threshold value. 100% of IMA values exceeded the threshold value of 5. Using both active and passive sampling, the microbial contamination was shown to increase significantly during activity. The cfu values were higher at the patient area than at the perimeter of the operating theatre. Mean values of the cfu/m3 during activity at the patient area ranged from a minimum of 61+/-41 cfu/m3 to a maximum of 242+/-136 cfu/m3; IMA values ranged from a minimum of 19+/-10 to a maximum of 129+/-60. 15.2% of samplings performed at the patient area using SAS and 75.8% of samplings performed using settle plates exceeded the threshold values of 180 cfu/m3 and 25 respectively, with a significant difference of the percentages. The highest values were found in the operating theatre with inadequate structural and managerial conditions. These findings confirm that the microbiological quality of air may be considered a mirror of the hygienic conditions of the operating theatre. Settle plates proved to be more sensitive in detecting the increase of microbial air contamination related to conditions that could compromise the quality of the air in operating theatres.

[Microbial air monitoring in operating theatre: active and passive samplings] / Pasquarella, Cesira Isabella Maria; M. D., Masia; N., Nnanga; Sansebastiano, Giuliano Ezio; A., Savino; Signorelli, Carlo; Veronesi, Licia. - In: ANNALI DI IGIENE MEDICINA PREVENTIVA E DI COMUNITÀ. - ISSN 1120-9135. - 16:(2004), pp. 375-386.

[Microbial air monitoring in operating theatre: active and passive samplings]

PASQUARELLA, Cesira Isabella Maria;SANSEBASTIANO, Giuliano Ezio;SIGNORELLI, Carlo;VERONESI, Licia
2004-01-01

Abstract

Microbial air contamination was evaluated in 11 operating theatres using active and passive samplings. SAS (Surface Air System) air sampling was used to evaluate cfu/m3 and settle plates were used to measure the index of microbial air contamination (IMA). Samplings were performed at the same time on three different days, at three different times (before, during and after the surgical activity). Two points were monitored (patient area and perimeter of the operating theatre). Moreover, the cfu/m3 were evaluated at the air inlet of the conditioner system. 74.7% of samplings performed at the air inlet and 66.7% of the samplings performed at the patient area before the beginning of the surgical activity (at rest) exceeded the 35 cfu/m3 used as threshold value. 100% of IMA values exceeded the threshold value of 5. Using both active and passive sampling, the microbial contamination was shown to increase significantly during activity. The cfu values were higher at the patient area than at the perimeter of the operating theatre. Mean values of the cfu/m3 during activity at the patient area ranged from a minimum of 61+/-41 cfu/m3 to a maximum of 242+/-136 cfu/m3; IMA values ranged from a minimum of 19+/-10 to a maximum of 129+/-60. 15.2% of samplings performed at the patient area using SAS and 75.8% of samplings performed using settle plates exceeded the threshold values of 180 cfu/m3 and 25 respectively, with a significant difference of the percentages. The highest values were found in the operating theatre with inadequate structural and managerial conditions. These findings confirm that the microbiological quality of air may be considered a mirror of the hygienic conditions of the operating theatre. Settle plates proved to be more sensitive in detecting the increase of microbial air contamination related to conditions that could compromise the quality of the air in operating theatres.
2004
[Microbial air monitoring in operating theatre: active and passive samplings] / Pasquarella, Cesira Isabella Maria; M. D., Masia; N., Nnanga; Sansebastiano, Giuliano Ezio; A., Savino; Signorelli, Carlo; Veronesi, Licia. - In: ANNALI DI IGIENE MEDICINA PREVENTIVA E DI COMUNITÀ. - ISSN 1120-9135. - 16:(2004), pp. 375-386.
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Pasquarella 2004.pdf

non disponibili

Tipologia: Altro materiale allegato
Licenza: NON PUBBLICO - Accesso privato/ristretto
Dimensione 96.91 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
96.91 kB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11381/2298599
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 8
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact