Performance of ventilation system in a non-standard operating room

The ventilation system of a hospital operating room is to provide a comfortable and healthy environment for the patient and the surgical team. Thermal comfort can be achieved by controlling the temperature, the humidity, and the air movement. A healthy environment can be achieved by minimizing the risk of contamination through appropriate filtration and air distribution scheme. The design and construction of operating rooms in Hong Kong, including the upgrading of the older ones, have been based on the UK Health Building Notes and Health Technical Memoranda. Observations and field measurements in a case study found that the airflow and some design features were not fully complied with the specified requirements. A CFD analysis supported by field measurements was made to simulate the temperature distribution, airflow pattern and the contaminant dispersion. The study placed an emphasis on the health risk of the airborne bacteria released from the surgical team on the patient, and vice versa. © 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.