--- title: Forced Air Contamination in the OR description: Perioperative patient warming to maintain normothermia reduces hypothermia complications, which helps to improve postoperative results. --- [Encompass Group, LLC encompass-logo ](https://www.encompassgroup.com/) ***Search on website* [login/](http://www.encompassgroup.net/myencompass/login/)[register](http://www.encompassgroup.net/myencompass/login/) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. ![Contamination in the OR](https://www.encompassgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Contamination%20in%20the%20OR.jpg?width=1920&height=620&name=Contamination%20in%20the%20OR.jpg) # Clinical Study ## Forced Air Contamination in the OR Victor R. Lange, PHD, JD, MSPH, ICP, CRC, CRA | AHMC - Greater El Monte Perioperative patient warming to maintain normothermia reduces hypothermia complications, which helps to improve postoperative results, and may contribute to shorter hospital stays. Forced-air warming (FAW) devices can introduce bacteria into operating environments via surface-component contamination and tissue-air connection, increasing surgical-site infection (SSI) risk.    The [2020 Virtual AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo](https://www.aorn.org/surgicalexpo) brings together 40,000+ perioperative nurses, professionals, and exhibitors for online learning. A study by Healthcare Epidemiologist and Clinical Research Expert, Victor R. Lange, PhD, JD, MSPH, ICP, CRC, CRA, is featured in the AORN event. Dr. Lange's study, "[Forced Air Contamination Risk in the OR](https://www.eventscribe.com/2020/AORNExpo2020/ajaxcalls/PosterInfo.asp?efp=S0VPS1lLTVY3OTM0&PosterID=263469&rnd=0.3447115)," collected new FAW-bacteria correlation data to better understand risks and inform infection-control protocols that mitigate healthcare-associated infection (HAI) risk.    Dr. Lange's study revealed almost half of samples cultured at higher-than-*minimum*-acceptable colony-forming unit (CFU) pathogen levels, including 37.2% of FAW equipment samples and 5.3% of air samples, and nearly one quarter at higher-than-*maximum*-acceptable CFU pathogen levels. Study discussion observed, “OR theater air-quality monitoring and HEPA-filter and FAW-unit maintenance may not adequately prevent microorganism communication and transmission.” The study found, “Data identified a correlation of positive airborne samples for instances that had high-pathogen contamination in the warmer-temperature components, contributing to increased patient infection and SSI concerns.” Finally, the study concluded, “FAW device-component contamination may be a heightened risk in the OR…Cross-contamination of the environment remains a risk…[and a] reduction in surface and airborne CFUs may positively reduce SSI and HAI risk.”    [The AORN 2020 Global Surgical Conference & Expo presentation on the study](https://www.eventscribe.com/2020/AORNExpo2020/ajaxcalls/PosterInfo.asp?efp=S0VPS1lLTVY3OTM0&PosterID=263469&rnd=0.3447115) is available online in the event virtual exhibit hall through July 2020. AORN members may view it anytime; guests may register to view it for free [here](https://www.eventscribe.com/2020/AORNExpo2020/login/signup.asp) or access a researcher-provided copy of the poster below. The study results also were presented by Dr. Lange at the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) 2019 Annual Conference in June 2019. An abstract of that APIC presentation can be found [here](https://www.ajicjournal.org/article/S0196-6553(19)30275-5/abstract).    ## Related Products #### Infection Prevention Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo [![contact us](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3378591/e21533e9-d8d3-416b-8fe9-b65c509bf157.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3378591/e21533e9-d8d3-416b-8fe9-b65c509bf157) #### Infection Prevention Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo [![contact us](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3378591/e21533e9-d8d3-416b-8fe9-b65c509bf157.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3378591/e21533e9-d8d3-416b-8fe9-b65c509bf157) #### Infection Prevention Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo [![contact us](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3378591/e21533e9-d8d3-416b-8fe9-b65c509bf157.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3378591/e21533e9-d8d3-416b-8fe9-b65c509bf157) #### Infection Prevention Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo [![contact us](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3378591/e21533e9-d8d3-416b-8fe9-b65c509bf157.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3378591/e21533e9-d8d3-416b-8fe9-b65c509bf157) #### Infection Prevention Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo [![contact us](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3378591/e21533e9-d8d3-416b-8fe9-b65c509bf157.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3378591/e21533e9-d8d3-416b-8fe9-b65c509bf157) #### Infection Prevention Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo [![contact us](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3378591/e21533e9-d8d3-416b-8fe9-b65c509bf157.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3378591/e21533e9-d8d3-416b-8fe9-b65c509bf157) ### Download full Poster Presentation [![Encompass Group](https://www.encompassgroup.com/hubfs/Assets%20April%202018/encompass-logo-white.svg "Encompass Group")](https://www.encompassgroup.com/) 615 Macon Street McDonough, GA 30253 [800-245-4636](tel:800-245-4636) [info@encompassgroup.net](mailto:info@encompassgroup.net) [privacy policy and Terms and Conditions](https://www.encompassgroup.com/privacy_policy)[California Supply Chain Act](https://www.encompassgroup.com/california-supply-chain-act) ©2024 Encompass Group, LLC. 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