Study: Application of the Airocide air purifying system in an Operation Theatre of the Da Vinci Private Clinic

Disinfecting the airspace of medical operation theatres in healthcare facilities is a worldwide task.

During the use of the operation theatres, in an optimal case sterile air is ensured by creating a pressure difference – negative or positive – and by using HEPA filters. Surveys in the United States have shown that every 5th infection occurs by air, with 5% of acute hospitalizations developing cross-infections requiring additional hospitalization, thus extending the duration of hospital care by an average of 10 days.

In addition to intermittent air purification options, a number of other continuous air disinfection options are known, including the Airocide air disinfection system developed by NASA and the University of Wisconsin based on the principle of photocatalytic oxidation in our study below.

The operating block in the basement of the Da Vinci Private Clinic consists of two operation theatres – 30 and 38 m2 -, which are equipped with a HEPA filter and an air system operating on the overpressure principle. In the first operation theatre, with an air space of 115.35 m3, two Airocide GCS 50 air purifiers were put into operation on two opposite walls, taking into account the technical requirements of the hospital and the existing wiring systems.

Sampling protocol: The Sartorius MD8 air sampler with 250 liters of air circulation at a rate of 50 liters per minute was used for sampling. 2 types of agar were used, the first was BIO-RAD Columbia type 5% sheep blood – pathogenic – and the second type was Pharmadeia Dr. Müller GmbH SDA + LTHT CSG medium – general mold, bacteria.

Sampling took place on 25th September 2020. At the times of sampling, normal, daily operations were performed. In both operation theatres, the work was carried out according to the systematic procedure, the only difference being in the operation of the Airocide equipment. The 4-4 sampling points were determined taking into account airflow and critical locations.

Based on the comparison of samples taken at operating tables, the use of Airocide reduced the number of pathogenic cells by nearly 65%. The results from the samples placed at other points also show a significant improvement.

Based on the overall results, the use of Airocide significantly reduced the concentration of harmful, infectious substances in the air, thus greatly contributing to the elimination of possible cross-infections.

Airocide kills viruses safely and effectively.
Read the official results of the research conducted during the current epidemic HERE!