title: [Splash basins are contaminated even during operations in a laminar air flow environment].
abstract: Few studies have investigated the potential contamination of splash basins and they have shown very divergent results: contamination ranging from 2.13% to 74% has been reported. This study set out to examine if splash basins used in a laminar air flow (LAF) environment during elective knee and hip arthroplasty constitute an unnecessary risk. Of the 49 cases sampled two cultures were positive (4%; 95% confidence interval = 0.49-13.9). We conclude that splash basins do get contaminated even in an LAF environment. Further studies with larger populations are needed to validate our findings.
authors.affiliation: Ortopædkirurgisk Afdeling, Hillerød -Hospital, Dyrehavevej 29, 3400 Hillerød. jjmikkel@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Mikkel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: Mikkel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sundstrup
authors.forename: Helle Raagaard
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.forename: Bente
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Olesen
authors.forename: Camilla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ryge
mesh_terms: D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004780:Environment, Controlled; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D006801:Humans; D009873:Operating Rooms; D013523:Surgical Equipment / Q000382:microbiology; D014871:Water Microbiology