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The purpose of conventional operating theatre ventilation is to dilute and remove particles by
introducing the air through high quality filters. In addition an air change rate normally in the range 15 to
20 changes per hour is achieved, to ensure a controlled background environment and sufficient positive
pressure in the theatre.
Whilst being acceptable for general surgery, the conventional air supply system will not provide the
`ultra clean' conditions required for critical care procedures. Implant operations require particularly low
concentrations of airborne bacteria colonies. This is especially important today when up to 70% of the
most common staphylococci are resistant to available prophylaxis and antibiotics.
Ultra clean air systems (referred to as UCAS) are the means of providing very low bacteria counts at the
wound site.
There are two types of ultra clean air systems. The self‐contained recirculating type, which is ideal for
operating theatres with air conditioning already extant, and the remote system which usually integrates
with separate air conditioning supply and is more applicable to new build projects. Both systems create
an ultra clean zone beneath a clean air canopy sited above the operating table, and deliver a sterile air
supply through a 'HEPA' filter bank to give approximately 500 air changes/hour within the clean zone.
Whilst this volume of clean air is important, it is the management of velocity and direction is the
deciding factor.
The unidirectional air flow through the clean zone has an average velocity of 0.38 m/sec, which is
sufficient to overcome the thermal effects of the patient, theatre lighting and key operating staff. Their
typical movements do not create turbulence or deflect the downward path of the airflow. When the
gentle movement of air reaches the floor it is forced outwards into the theatre away from the perimeter
of the clean zone to subsequently rise towards the high level return air ducts.
Working beneath ultra clean air calls for knowledge, expertise and respect for the operational system to
keep the airflow free from contamination sources. Only the surgical team members and equipment
should be allowed inside the clean zone. Other personnel, e.g. anaesthesia care providers and
circulating nurses and remaining equipment should remain outside so as not to contaminate the clean
zone. The surgical team members should perform gowning and gloving at the entrance of the clean
zone, with removal of surgical gowns etc taking place outside the critical area.
The shape and position of the operating theatre light are of great importance. Small cross sectional
lights are preferred as they minimize turbulence of the unidirectional air flow. The lights should not be
positioned directly over instrument tables or over the wound area but instead at a 45 angle leaving free
space for the airflow.
In recent times larger ultra clean systems have been installed in cardiac theatres, where units 3.5 m2 are
used to cover the extensive equipment employed in this work.
One of the major benefits of the system is the ease in which an existing conventional operating theatre
can be upgraded. In a matter of a few weeks a traditional theatre can be converted into a highly
effective operating theatre capable of handling more demanding surgical procedures. Similarly the
system can provide a hospital with additional surgical capacity by refurbishing non‐theatre spaces, such
as redundant wards and coffee rooms into the very best clean air systems. This approach has proved to
be popular with many hospital authorities who have sought to cut their surgical waiting lists by this
route.
STANDARD DESIGNING RULES FOR OPERATING THEATRE
Primary filter ‐ 25% Secondary filter ‐
Air Filter 90% HEPA filter ‐ 99.97% efficiency
Humidity 55% +/‐ 5% 45% ‐ 55%
Range for working condition is 16oC to Range for working condition is 16oC to
Temperature 21oC 26oC
Other Equipment required –
The unique design of the “Pass‐through” cabinet allows high‐pressure sterile air to flow from the top to
the bottom of the cabinet in order to maintain sterility of the surgical equipment, which is kept in the
suture cabinet.
High‐density laminated doors integrated with a special hydraulic locking system to ensure proper
closing. Optional Elbow Switch Electric Door is available.
Stainless steel scrub basin with unique non‐drip bowl and sinks minimize splashing on the floor or wall;
while deep bowl, sloping bottom and curve support eliminate wet floors caused by elbow drip.
Surgical control panel with glass door on switches side come with stainless steel frame. Type of
components installed will be based on customer’s requirement with a basic of X‐ray viewer, medical
alarm clock, etc.
The wall façade of the medical operating theatre is constructed of structural wall clad with high pressure
laminates (HPL).
MATERIAL: Aluminum with an Epoxy Powder Coated finish.
FILTERS: HEPA filters with 99.97% efficiency
Our HVAC designs are according to international standards ranging from clean class 10 to clean class
100,000 depending on layout design requirement.
US FED STD 209E Cleanroom Standards
maximum particles/ft³
ISO
Class
equivalent
≥0.1 µm ≥0.2 µm ≥0.3 µm ≥0.5 µm ≥5 µm
1 35 7 3 1 ISO 3
US FED STD 209E Cleanroom Standards
maximum particles/m³
FED STD 209E
Class
equivalent
≥0.1 µm ≥0.2 µm ≥0.3 µm ≥0.5 µm ≥1 µm ≥5 µm
ISO 1 10 2
ISO 2 100 24 10 4
ISO 3 1,000 237 102 35 8 Class 1