Forced Air Warming System: Evaluation of Internal System Contamination.

Background: Despite the indisputable need to prevent peri-operative hypothermia, some evidence in the literature questions the possible role of forced air warming systems as a risk factor for the occurrence of surgical site infection. The objective of the study is to evaluate the micro-biologic safety of a forced air warming systems (FAW) in relation to the risk of emission of micro-organisms in the surgical environment.

Methods: A quantitative, descriptive-exploratory laboratory study performed in a large hospital.