Laminar airflow – the unidirectional flow of purified air used in the operation theatre for the maintenance of sterility. The complete airflow maintained along with air conditioning, maintenance of thermoregulation.
The diagram provides an outline of the Schematic presentation of Laminar airflow in Operation theatre.
Benefits of Laminar airflow
Good operating room environment
Sterility with humidity maintenance
Positive pressure
Maintain the pressure and humidity
Low particulate counts
Low noise
Normal Cfu is 5-8 in the Petri film when laminar airflow is on
The Operating table is kept correctly below the laminar airflow outlet for better sterility. See the image.
How to reduce the rate of infection
Laminar airflow -the unidirectional flow of purified air in the operating room. Keep the operating room closed to avoid the inflow of outside contaminated air. The air exit from the exhaust is called a pressure relief damper.
Laminar airflow reduces the dust, microbes, and aerosol
HEPA filter-High Efficiency Particulate absorbing filter
HEPA that filters the air used in Laminar airflow
Pressure relief damper- Pressure relief damper fixed in the wall of the operating room for the exit of air. This device allows only the unidirectional exit of air and maintains pressure inside the room. It doesn’t allow the air from the opposite side(outside of OR).