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A bacteriological evaluation of laminar-flow systems for orthopaedic surgery

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

W. Whyte
Affiliation:
Building Services Research Unit, University of Glasgow, GlasgowG12 8RZ
B. H. Shaw
Affiliation:
Building Services Research Unit, University of Glasgow, GlasgowG12 8RZ
R. Barnes
Affiliation:
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Western Infirmary, GlasgowGW 1 GNT
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Summary

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An evaluation has been undertaken of the efficiency of laminar-flow ventilation in operating-rooms in which conventional operating-room clothing was used. It has been demonstrated that velocities in the region of 0·3–0·4 m/sec. will give maximum returns for effort in both down-flow and cross-flow systems. At this velocity the laminar-flow system, in terms of airborne bacteria measured at the would site, was about 11 times more effients using horizontal air-flow and 35–90 times more efficient using vertical air-flow than a plenum-ventilated operating room.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1973

References

REFERENCES

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