BACKGROUND: Airborne bacteria are a major source for wound contamination during total joint arthroplasty. Crystalline ultraviolet C (C-UVC) filter units were designed to disinfect and recirculate air in the operating room (OR). This preliminary study assessed the particle reducing capacity of C-UVC units in a highly controlled OR setting. METHODS: A particle counter was deployed in a positive-pressure OR to measure total and viable particle counts (TPC/VPC). Thirty 23-minute experiments were performed. At 4 designated times a person would walk through the door to mimic OR traffic. Ten experiments were performed as controls, 10 experiments used a C-UVC unit 4 meters (m) from the door, and 10 cases with the C-UVC unit at 8 m. Outcomes included overall, change (Δ), and maximum TPC/VPC. Mann-Whitney U-tests determined statistical differences in TPC/VPC. RESULTS: Compared to controls, the cases with the C-UVC unit at 4 m had significantly lower particle levels. Overall TPC/VPC, changes in TPC/VCP, and maximum TPC/VPC were all significantly lower (P < .05) in the C-UVC unit (4 m) group compared to the controls. The C-UVC at 8 m significantly reduced TPC in all 3 outcomes (P < .05) compared to controls; however, it did not significantly reduce changes in VPC (P = .107) and maximum VPC (P = .052). There were no significant differences in any outcomes between the 4 m and 8 m group. CONCLUSION: C-UVC units have shown to be capable of significantly reducing TPC and VPC in a highly controlled OR setting. Reducing airborne particles using C-UVC units may reduce infection rates following total joint arthroplasty.
BACKGROUND: Airborne bacteria are a major source for wound contamination during total joint arthroplasty. Crystalline ultraviolet C (C-UVC) filter units were designed to disinfect and recirculate air in the operating room (OR). This preliminary study assessed the particle reducing capacity of C-UVC units in a highly controlled OR setting. METHODS: A particle counter was deployed in a positive-pressure OR to measure total and viable particle counts (TPC/VPC). Thirty 23-minute experiments were performed. At 4 designated times a person would walk through the door to mimic OR traffic. Ten experiments were performed as controls, 10 experiments used a C-UVC unit 4 meters (m) from the door, and 10 cases with the C-UVC unit at 8 m. Outcomes included overall, change (Δ), and maximum TPC/VPC. Mann-Whitney U-tests determined statistical differences in TPC/VPC. RESULTS: Compared to controls, the cases with the C-UVC unit at 4 m had significantly lower particle levels. Overall TPC/VPC, changes in TPC/VCP, and maximum TPC/VPC were all significantly lower (P < .05) in the C-UVC unit (4 m) group compared to the controls. The C-UVC at 8 m significantly reduced TPC in all 3 outcomes (P < .05) compared to controls; however, it did not significantly reduce changes in VPC (P = .107) and maximum VPC (P = .052). There were no significant differences in any outcomes between the 4 m and 8 m group. CONCLUSION: C-UVC units have shown to be capable of significantly reducing TPC and VPC in a highly controlled OR setting. Reducing airborne particles using C-UVC units may reduce infection rates following total joint arthroplasty.
Authors: Giulia Baldelli; Mattia Paolo Aliano; Giulia Amagliani; Mauro Magnani; Giorgio Brandi; Carmelo Pennino; Giuditta Fiorella Schiavano Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-01-29 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Jason M Jennings; Roseann M Johnson; Anna C Brady; Whitney P Stuckey; Aviva K Pollet; Douglas A Dennis Journal: Arthroplast Today Date: 2022-08-15
Authors: Fady Y Hijji; Andrew D Schneider; Jeffrey T Reeves; Michael L Wilson; Logan Nye; Joseph G Lyons; Michael J Prayson; Louis J Rubino Journal: Cureus Date: 2022-07-14