Effect of unidirectional airflow ventilation on surgical site infection in cardiac surgery: environmental impact as a factor in the choice for turbulent mixed air flow.

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) in the form of postoperative deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) after cardiac surgery is a rare, but potentially fatal, complication. In addressing this, the focus is on preventive measures, as most risk factors for SSI are not controllable. Therefore, operating rooms are equipped with heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to prevent airborne contamination of the wound, either through turbulent mixed air flow (TMA) or unidirectional air flow (UDAF).

User experience of wearing comfort of reusable versus disposable surgical gowns and environmental perspectives: A cross-sectional survey.

Objective: To determine the user experience of wearing comfort of reusable sterile surgical gowns and compare these gowns with conventional disposable surgical gowns.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Setting: An academic hospital in the Netherlands.

Biventricular function in exercise during autonomic (thoracic epidural) block.

Background: Blockade of cardiac sympathetic fibers by thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) was previously shown to reduce right and left ventricular systolic function and effective pulmonary arterial elastance. At conditions of constant paced heart rate, cardiac output and systemic hemodynamics were unchanged. In this study, we further investigated the effect of cardiac sympathicolysis during physical stress and increased oxygen demand.

[Steps for reducing the carbon footprint of the operating room].

The healthcare sector contributes significantly to global warming due to carbon emissions; this sector is, therefore, partially responsible for the negative effects of climate change on public health. Carbon emissions by the healthcare sector amount to 7% of the total carbon footprint of the Netherlands. It is anticipated that measures to reduce carbon emissions in the operating room (OR) can make an important contribution to reducing carbonemissions in the hospital as a whole.