Why is it important to control the temperature in an operating room?
“Proper ventilation, airflow, temperature, and humidity are needed for successful surgical operations. ORs must be designed to provide a space relative humidity (RH) of 20 to 60 percent, and a space temperature of 68 to 75°F. However, many surgeons prefer a space temperature below 68°F, typically as low as 64 degrees.”
– Brent Weigel, PhD, Engineer and LEED Accredited Professional
The success of surgical procedures depends in part upon the temperature in your operating room. Make controlling the temperature in your operating room a top priority not only for your patients’ sake, but also for your medical team as well.
Comply with Healthcare Standards and Requirements
There are many codes and regulations hospitals must abide by to uphold building operations. This is a comfort as well as a safety issue. For example, the Department of Health & Human Services mandates that temperature, airflow, and humidity in areas where anesthesia is administered should be properly maintained to inhibit microbial growth and minimize infection risks.
Promote Successful Surgery
Short-term and long-term surgical outcomes are more likely to be positive when microbial growth is inhibited and infection risks are minimized. To do this, the environment must be controlled, else even the most minute bacteria spores will cultivate and contaminate areas. Rooms are to be kept at optimal temperatures between 68 and 73 degrees Fahrenheit.
Provide Comfort for All
Enhancing the comfort of surgical staff and patients is essential to the success of your hospital. Surgeons and their staff often prefer a cooler environment because they wear protective clothing that can be warm. On the other side, uncomfortable patients won’t recover any faster. Also, hospitals are often hit with high-stress situations, so offering even a little bit of relief in the environment will help alleviate some of the pressures for everyone.
What are some strategies to control your operating room temperature?
Maintaining a desirable operating room temperature does not happen on its own. Hospital executives must make a commitment to maintain proper temperatures through manual adjustments, airflow enhancement, or automation. Follow these strategies to help you maintain the proper OR temperatures.
- Have visual alerts in a highly visible location to notify staff when temperatures are too hot or cold
- Maintain manual temperature logs for each hospital operating room
- Improve airflow through piping modifications and equipment repair
- Automate your OR temperatures with building automation solutions
What is the best way to ensure climate control in your operating room?
Control OR temperatures by seeking expert guidance in building automation. Look for professionals with the right expertise and resources to facilitate your surgical care by automating the temperatures in your hospital. Contact us to learn how we can help you customize and build an operating room environment that is conducive to superb patient care.
