[Verification of bacteriological safety of PCM 40 air conditioner].
This study assessed the bacteriological safety of the bedside air conditioner PCM 40 (Howorth Airtech), used for prevention of intraoperative hypothermia, by blowing filtered warm air through a special mattress. The 3 microns bacterial filter of the device released 2,968 +/- 5,618 particles of diameter less than 3 microns per m3 of room air, containing 78,798 +/- 37,243 of such particles per m3. The amount of bacteries in the air pulsed from the mattress was 30 +/- 41 cfu/m3 vs 120 cfu/m3 in the ambient air and in the hot air supply tubing it reached 6 +/- 5 cfu/m3 vs 175 +/- 77 cfu/m3. It is concluded that bacteriological data do not contra-indicate the use of this air conditioner in the operating theater. The only limitations for use are the position (prone or lateral position) and type of surgery (neurosurgery).
Pharmacien. Centre Hospitalier, Thonon-les-Bains.
J L
JL
Dumas
G
G
Ducel
J C
JC
Rouge
D000389:Air Conditioning / Q000592:standards; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D001513:Beds; D004869:Equipment Safety; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D009873:Operating Rooms
Vérification de l'inocuité bactériologique du climatiseur PCM 40.