Evaluation of a mobile surgical air decontamination device in reducing airborne microbial load in the operating theatre of a tertiary care hospital.

INTRODUCTION

Microbiological air quality in the operating theatre (OT) plays a key role in preventing surgical site infections. Airborne particulate matter and microbes increase the risk of contamination during surgical procedures. Mobile air decontamination devices that integrate high-efficiency particulate air filtration with ultraviolet sterilization systems function as adjuncts to conventional ventilation systems to reduce airborne microbial load and improve microbiological air quality.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of a mobile air decontamination device in reducing airborne particulate matter and the microbial load in an OT at a tertiary care hospital.

METHODS

A prospective interventional study was conducted over a period of 15 days in an OT at a tertiary care hospital in New Delhi in July 2025. Air sampling for particle counts and colony forming units (CFU) was performed before and after device activation during routine OT functioning. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS.

RESULTS

The mean total particle count decreased from 6835.57 particles/m3 to 4071.97 particles/m3 after device activation, and showed an overall reduction of 40.42%. Significant reductions were seen in 0.3-μm (P = 0.0061) and 0.5-μm (P = 0.0088) particles. The mean airborne microbial load showed a significant reduction from 34.47 CFU/m3 to 15.20 CFU/m3 (P = 0.0033). The reduction in microbial count was consistent despite variations in OT activity.

CONCLUSION

The mobile air decontamination device improved air quality in the OT, and can be used as an adjunct to existing ventilation systems.