[Electrostatic air cleaning in operating room].

Abstract

Airborne infection is considered a significant cause of postoperative wound infections (surgical site infections - SSI). In low-income countries, the risk is elevated. A simple concept based on electrostatic air cleaning has, after extensive testing, been shown to effectively reduce the levels of particles and bacteria in the air. This has been demonstrated in laboratory environments and in simulated operating room environments at Kungälv Hospital, as well as in field studies at two hospitals in a low-income country (the Democratic Republic of the Kongo).