Fumigation in Operation Theatres
Fumigation in Operation Theatres
Fumigation in Operation Theatres
Points to be discussed
Critical Parameters for ideal Operation Theatre (OT) Indian Scenario about OT What is Fumigation / Fogging Do we need fumigation in India? What will be the Take Home Message?
HEPA filters (to remove > 0.3 m with an efficiency of 99.97%) Positive pressure Requirement of 15-20 air changes /hour with a minimum of 3 air changes of fresh air (20%). Air should flow from the ceiling & be exhausted near the floor
Laminar airflow (ultra clean air) & UV radiation have been suggested as additional measures in certain situations (orthopedic operations)
HVAC system maintain indoor air temp. & humidity, control odours, remove contaminated air & minimize the risk of transmission of airborne microorganisms
Consists of air inlets, filter beds, humidity modification mechanisms, heating & cooling equipment, fan ducts
Indian Scenario
In India, there are extreme situations in operation theater (OT) facilities, ranging from rooms with fans, window air conditioning, to the more sophisticated laminar airflow systems More than 60-80% of OTs, donot have air handling unit (AHU) & other modern facilities with critical parameters In hospitals that lack heat ventilation air conditioning (HVAC) systems the quality of air in the OT cannot
be guaranteed
Fogging
operative practice
What Is Fumigation?
Fumigation consisted of a mixture of formalin (280 ml) and potassium permanganate (150 gm) being placed in a bowl. The room would then be sealed & opened 12-24 hours later. Later on this changed formalin being sprayed with humidification by a spraying device or automist.
Different Methods
1. Carboxyl acid & fumigation with Formaldehyde Advantages Established age old technique Cost effective Disadvantages a. Carboxylic acid has efficacy as scouring and disinfecting agent b. Time consuming, min 24 hrs turn around time c. Self defeating OT fumigated with Formaldehyde needs to be force de-aired with unclean air d. Unsafe Formaldehyde is carcinogenic
2. Aldehyde based germicides Glutaraldehyde & formaldehyde (200 ml in 10 liters of water i.e 2%) through fogging machine is the commonly used procedure. AdvantagesEffective
identified as a carcinogen
3. Silver (Ag) and Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) Advantages a. Has deep penetrating capability b. Has no known resistant strains
c. Effective against Bacteria, Viruses, Mycobacteria, Amoeba, Fungi and spore forming organisms
Solution
Ecoshield 11% Hydrogen Peroxide and 0.01% dilute sliver nitrate
Viable bacteria may fail to grow when cultured in the presence of disinfectants
Neutralization of disinfectant (ammonia vapours or water) is must before collecting air samples or swabs Lecithin & Tween 80 in appropriate concentrations are suitable neutralizing agents
Environmental contaminants are generally associated with organic residues that bind & deactivate most disinfectants, (least likely to be benefit in those areas contaminated
with organic materials such as blood, feces or pus)
Fogging hastens the process of setting of airborne microorganisms. Mist, generated by a disinfectant or water would achieve the same process
Air
Air sampler
Lack of standards Lack of Standard protocols for testing Sensitivity of sampler used Such sampling should largely be reserved for epidemiological investigations during outbreaks
Controlled studies at CDC have demonstrated that quaternary ammonium fog does not produce a significant (one log )reduction in bacterial counts of S. aureus or E. coli, even in areas in completely saturated with residual
disinfectant*
*CDC: National Nosocomial Infections Study Quaterly Report, Third Quarter. 1971: isuued May 1972)
In India, studies have not compared standard cleaning practices with fumigation/fogging. No substitute for vigorous scrubbing, washing of surfaces & removing the organic matter
Safety of repeated exposure of humans to disinfectant & fog has not been established Inspite of these drawbacks it is the best alternative for - litigation - good & safe hospital practices, - check up of human default - favourable psychological effect on staff & patients - to improve the standard of hospital hygiene & asepsis
Points to support
Significant reduction in the number of bacteria in the ambient air Effective decontamination of exposed environmental surfaces
Fumigation is the only alternative however following precautions should be taken Replace formalin with a safer agent like a H2O2 stabilized with a silver salt It has no role in OTs with modern day HAVCs
For litigation after fogging do the air sampling & keep the record
This is not an alternative to mechanical cleaning of surfaces If surgeries are being performed with window airconditioners fogging would be required on a daily basis not on weekends alone as is practiced (WHO guidelines on
prevention & control of Hospital Associated infections SEA-HLM-343. Jan 2002)