Discrete room pressure drops predict door openings and contamination levels in the operating room setting
Gregory T. Carroll* and David L. Kirschman
Background:
Contamination of operating room air is associated with increased risk of surgical site infection. Door opening events occur often during surgery. The effect of door opening on room pressure and contamination is investigated, and detection of door opening events via a single internal barometric pressure sensor is demonstrated.
Methods:
A single barometric pressure sensor stationed in a corner away from the door was used to measure room pressure in a simulated OR with air flow conditions of 20 ACH and a positive pressure of approximately 7.5 Pa. A laser-based particle counter was used to measure particle levels during a series of 20 periodic door opening events.
