Evaluating Operating Theaters and Intensive Care Units Based on Clean Room Standard

Objective: the purpose of this study is to measure the air flow speed and distribution, air flow rate and the amount of particles in the clean spaces of a public university hospital and to evaluate their compliance to din 1946/4 standard on ventilation in hospitals and iso 14644-1 clean room standard. material-method: once the location and number of the measurement points were determined in accordance with the standards, the measurement was carried out in 82 points including in all the operating theaters and pediatric intensive care units of the hospital. in the spaces determined, the air flow speed, temperature, and humidity measurements, the pressure differences between air flow rate and the areas, measurement of filter impermeability, and measurement of the particle amount were carried out by an authorized company. the measurement results were compared and evaluated with din 1946/4 and iso 14644-1 acceptance criteria and the air cleaning classes were determined. results: it was found that the air exchange rate in hand washing areas in intensive care unit and isolation rooms and two operating theaters was lower than 6. it was also determined that even though positive pressure was required in intensive care units and three operating theaters, there were negative pressure conditions. it was revealed that the temperature and humidity values of thirty one operating theaters were suitable and air exchange rate and particle amount did not meet the iso 7 standard in six operating theaters. the particle amount met the iso 7 standard in thirteen operating theaters, but the air exchange rate was found to be low or too high. conclusions: providing the air exchange rate in accordance with the standards will ensure the room to reach the desired cleaning class. the results of this study have revealed that carrying out maintenance, measuring the performances, and maintaining them effectively in ventilation systems in the hospitals are required as much as their installation.