In the high-stakes environment of the operating room, maintaining optimal airflow is critical when it comes to removing airborne pathogens, controlling infections, and creating a comfortable environment for surgical teams and patients.
“Researchers calculated that the average daily [surgical smoke] exposure for perioperative personnel had the passive effects of smoking 27 to 30 unfiltered cigarettes per day”1
Traditional OR setups often struggle to effectively clear and filter out surgical smoke. In many instances, ventilation systems can be blocked by other equipment such as surgical lights, causing several issues to arise2:
Increased Contamination
Disrupted Air Patterns
Compromised Sterility
This not only compromises air quality but also increases the risk of long-term health complications. Without proper airflow management, hazardous substances can linger in the surgical field, causing both patients and staff to experience symptoms such as3:
Asthma
Chronic Bronchitis
Memory Loss
A safer operating room starts with smarter equipment design. When ventilation is obstructed by poorly positioned equipment, contamination risks rise, sterility is compromised, and risk of long-term health complications increases for both patients and staff.2,3
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