In‐Room Ultraviolet Air Filtration Units Reduce Airborne Particles During Total Joint Arthroplasty

Abstract

Reducing airborne bioburden in total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is of critical importance. The efficacy of crystalline ultraviolet-C (C-UVC) filtration in reducing bioburden in a dynamic operating room (OR) environment has not been evaluated. We assessed whether C-UVC filtration reduced (i) total particle counts (TPC); (ii) viable particle counts (VPC); and (iii) colony-forming units (CFUs). Fifty primary TJA cases were performed in a positive-pressure OR; 25 cases with the C-UVC unit and 25 cases without. The air was sampled by a particle counter and an impact air sampler to measure particle counts and CFUs, respectively. To compare TPC, VPC, and CFU/m 3 between groups, independent t tests and multivariate regression, adjusted for number of OR staff and door openings, were performed. The C-UVC group had significantly lower TPC (2.6 × 10 6 vs. 4.7 × 10 6 particles, p = 0.001) and VPC (18,605 vs. 27,516 particles, p = 0.001). There were fewer CFUs in the C-UVC group (10.9 CFU/m 3 vs. 13.7 CFU/m 3 , p = 0.163). Multivariate analysis identified C-UVC filtration as a significant predictor of decreased TPC (β = −0.44, p = 0.002) and VPC (β = −0.47, p = 0.001) after accounting for door openings and number of OR staff. The reduction in CFUs was not significant on multivariate analysis. In this prospective pilot study, a C-UVC air disinfection and recirculation unit led to a significant reduction in both TPC and VPC and a non-significant reduction in CFU. Statement of clinical significance: Further studies are needed to investigate the effects of C-UVC filtration units on surgical-site infection rates.

A mobile device reducing airborne particulate can improve air quality

“…Repetition of the study in different ORs and with different surgical procedures would enable better characterization of the device's effects. However, like previous studies [18] , [19] , the present study showed a substantial reduction in the number of particles. Finally, the number of theatre staff, the air change cycle and pressure differences with respect to outside are other risk factors that could have a confounding effect on the final results.…”

“…Previous studies showed the effectiveness of the device in reducing and keeping down particle count [18] , [19] , but particle sizes were not differentiated. Our study analyzed variations in particle size and particle sampling in several points in the OR.…”

“…Previous studies showed that the UV-C air disinfection and recirculation unit led to a significant reduction in both total particle counts and viable particle counts and a non-significant reduction in CFUs [18] , [19] .…”

Revisão Sistemática da Utilização de Far-UVC e Ozônio no Combate à Covid-19 e demais Patógenos

“…Sendo assim, quanto menor for o comprimento de onda, mais energética será a radiação transportada por ela. A radiação ultravioleta UV representa parte do espectro eletromagnético com o comprimento de onda menor que o da luz violeta, ou seja, uma faixa imediatamente mais energética do que a luz visível [16][17][18] . Devido à quantidade de energia transportada nas ondas UV, elas estão no limite denominado Região ionizante do espectro eletromagnético, isso indica que as ondas possuem condições de formar íons, o que significa ter condições de causar danos a moléculas de DNA 19,20 .…”

EPOS trial: the effect of air filtration through a plasma chamber on the incidence of surgical site infection in orthopaedic surgery: a study protocol of a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

“…Similar systems exists that use ultraviolet light to sterilise air particles and reduce the rate of hospital-acquired infections 21 22. There are though few peer-reviewed articles regarding air purification.…”