Laminar Disruption: Forced-Air Compared to Conductive Fabric Warming

The orthopedic team at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust in the UK has shown a great interest in the effects of air movement in laminar flow operating environments. In orthopedics, airborne contamination is a primary concern, given the susceptibility of implantables to sepsis. The Northumbria orthopedic team spends vast sums of money on protective laminar flow ventilation systems and personal isolation "space suits" for this very reason. With the primary goals of providing better care to patients and improving patient safety, the Northumbria orthopedic team set out to investigate and eliminate potential sources of infection.

After testing different forms of positioning and draping, they investigated the equipment in their operating room. Forced-air warming equipment, with its disruptive air flow and vast wattage output, was a natural object of concern. Their findings were quite shocking.

This video, produced by the Northumbria orthopedic team, shows the disruptive effect of forced-air equipment on protective laminar flow, using neutral-buoyancy helium bubbles to show air currents. As a control, the team tested conductive fabric warming blankets as well. The video evidence is quite clear: forced-air, in a normal operating room setting, disrupts laminar flow. Conductive fabric warming does not. Prudence, and good sense, dictates that these findings be taken into consideration when choosing between forced-air and conductive fabric warming systems.

The Northumbria orthopedic team has set up their own blog to show their findings. With patient safety in mind, they have compiled excellent research and the visual evidence is stunning. To access their blog, click on the following link: www.northumbriaorthopaedics.blogspot.com