Epidemiologic observations of operating room infections resulting from variations in ventilation and temperature.
Over a period of years the ventilation system of a community hospital progressively deteriorated until it no longer met regulatory guidelines. The hospital, a publicly funded military facility, requested funding to repair the ventilation system, but funds were not forthcoming because of budget austerity. When an increase in infections was documented, high-risk operations were curtailed and funding was expedited. With the new improved ventilation system the operating rooms once again met regulatory guidelines and infections returned to baseline rates. Throughout the period infections remained below recognized national levels.
Everett
W D
WD
University of Alabama Huntsville School of Primary Medical Care.
Kipp
H
H
D000391:Air Microbiology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006772:Hospitals, Military / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D009873:Operating Rooms / Q000592:standards*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013696:Temperature; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014691:Ventilation / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*