Surgical site infections are the second major cause of hospital acquired infections, accounting for a large part of overall annual medical costs. Airborne particulate is known to be a potential carrier of pathogenic bacteria. We assessed a mobile air particle filter unit for improvement of air quality in an operating room (OR). A new mobile air decontamination and recirculation unit, equipped with a crystalline ultraviolet C (Illuvia® 500 UV) reactor and a HEPA filter, was tested in an OR. Airborne particulate was monitored in four consecutive phases: I) device OFF and OR at rest; II) device OFF and OR in operation; III) device ON and OR in operation; IV) device OFF and OR in operation. We used a particle counter to measure airborne particles of different sizes: ≥0.3, ≥0.5, ≥1, ≥3, ≥5, >10 µm. Activation of the device (phases III) produced a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in airborne particulate of all sizes. Switching the device OFF (phase IV) led to a statistically significant increase (p < 0.05) in the number of particles of most sizes: ≥0.3, ≥0.5, ≥1, ≥3 µm. The device significantly reduced airborne particulate in the OR, improving air quality and possibly lowering the probability of surgical site infections.
Background Nutrition and life styles have a crucial role as health determinants. In particular, an intervention on eating habits and physical activity/inactivity does heavily influence obesity and overweight prevention, alongside associated diseases. Preteen and teenage profile is critical for developing the state of health in adulthood, and it is heavily determined by the sociocultural family background. For this reason, school could become an important actor in health promotion, in the form of coordinated and cross-disciplinary courses about food and behaviors. The aim of the study is to verify the effect of an intervention of food education in several schools. Methods This cross-sectional study, originated from the “sCOOL FOOD” project of Monte dei Paschi Foundation of Siena, involves schools of southeastern Tuscany, Italy. The project currently engages various classes from primary and secondary schools in which year-round awareness campaigns are conducted. The activities consist in theory classes and workshops held by professionals or teachers of the school previously trained for the purpose. A same questionnaire was administered to families before and after each campaign, exploring eating habits, lifestyle and biometrics. The data analyzed so far date from October 2017 to May 2018. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was performed on the distributions of children BMI classes, defined according to IOTF cutoffs, obtained exclusively from participants who submitted both questionnaires. Results 308 paired records of data were collected as mentioned above. We found that, after the campaign, children BMI classes distribution shift towards reduction was statistically significant (z=-2.053; p < 0.05). Conclusions Since the intervention was able to influence a childhood health determinant, it could be an opportunity to compensate those family dynamics that could lead towards health disadvantages in adulthood. Key messages A coordinated and cross-disciplinary food and lifestyle year-round education campaign at school can impact on health determinants of children. School can correct unfavorable eating and lifestyle behaviors determined by family habits.
Background Surgical Site Infections (SSI) are the second main cause of Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI) in Europe and in the United States (US). In US and Europe hospitals the overall annual medical costs of HAI is about $40 billion and the SSI represent a relevant part of this spending. It is known that air particulate is a carrier of pathogen bacteria. The aim of this study is to verify if a mobile unit for air particle filtering can improve the environmental airborne conditions of an operating room (OR). Methods We carried out a cross sectional study in March 2018 in an Italian University Hospital. A novel mobile device to purify air was tested during surgical procedures. It is provided with: an air decontamination-recirculation system unit; a patented crystalline ultraviolet C reactor; a highly efficient particulate air filtering. The environmental contamination has been monitored in the following phases: I) device off and OR at rest; II) device off and OR in operational; III) device on and OR in operational; IV) device off and OR in operational. We used a particle counter to measure airborne particles of different sizes: 0.3; 0.5; 1.0; 3.0; 5.0; 10 µm. Air samples were withdrawn in four spots of the OR periphery. Wilcoxon rank test was used for the statistical analysis setting the significance level to 95% (p < 0.05). Results From phase II (device off) to phase III (device on), there was a reduction of any particulate matter size, ranging from 50% to 73% (p < 0.05). When the device has been turned off again (phase IV), particle dimensions of 0.3, 0.5, 1.0 and 3.0 µm were lower in the percentage range of 51-62% (p < 0,05). Particle dimensions of 5 and 10 µm were also lower in the range of 56% and 76%, respectively. Conclusions During mobile device operation, the amount of particulate matter remains significantly lower, reducing the probability of SSI. Key messages Air particulate in surgical room may play a role in preventing Surgical Site Infections. The mobile device was able to significantly improve air quality during real operation conditions.
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