Enhancement of airborne particles removal in a hospital operating room

Abstract

This article presents the results of a numerical study to examine the transport of particles in an operating room equipped with an Econoclean ventilation system. Its aims are to reduce the number of particles falling onto the operating table. A simplified CFD model of the operating room was developed and validated based on the measured air velocity distribution. An SST k-ω turbulent flow model was used to simulate the airflow, while a discrete phase model was used to simulate the movement of the airborne particles. The effects of the standing posture of the surgical staff on the settlement of the particles on the operating table were examined. Results show that under the present ventilation system, when the surgical staff bend forward at an angle of 45°, the number of airborne particles that tend to fall onto the operating table increased by 1.4-fold. Adding an exhaust grille to the operating room does not have any significant effects on the distribution of the airborne particles. However, when a larger air supply diffuser is also used, the number of airborne particles that settled on the operating table was reduced 4-fold. More airborne particles are transported towards the exhaust grilles, and more airborne particles accumulate below the operating table. The present study shows that the usage of large air supply diffuser in the operating room is capable of reducing the number of airborne particles fall onto the operating table. Also, it enhances the efficiency of airborne particle removal.