植物生化学および生理学ジャーナル
オープンアクセス

概要

Effect of Power Crisis Caused By Earthquake on Operating Room Environment

Junichi Nishiyama, Maki Takahashi, Aki Ando, Makoto Sawada, Takugi Kan and Toshiyasu Suzuki

The Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011 caused unprecedented damage to Japan and blasted the myth of safety at nuclear power plants. Electric power in Japan has yet to be completely restored. The suspension of air conditioning in operating rooms stemming from power blackouts hampers the ability to adjust room temperature and humidity levels and suspends ventilation through air cleaning filters. In this work, we used simulations to investigate the effect of changes in an operating room environment as a result of air conditioning suspension. We prepared two rooms, one equipped with an LED shadowless lamp and the other with a xenon gas lamp, suspended the air conditioning, and measured the changes in temperature, humidity, and air cleanliness on operating tables and in the entire rooms. The physical impressions of four staff members working in each room were also collected. Results showed that, after suspension of the air conditioning, the temperature on the operating table increased by 11.8°C in the LED room and by 26.2°C in the xenon gas room. The overall temperature in both rooms increased by 2-3°C. Although the humidity on the operating table in both rooms decreased, it increased in the entire room by 10-12% in both rooms. As for the physical impressions of the staff, in the LED room, half complained of the heat while working, and in the xenon gas room, all complained of damp heat affecting their work. Air cleanliness surpassed the designated level within 8 and 22 minutes of suspension of air conditioning in the LED and xenon gas rooms, respectively. After that, particles continued to increase and surpassed 35,000/ft3 in both rooms. These results demonstrate that the suspension of air conditioning in operating rooms rapidly degrades the working environment, thus increasing the risk of surgical site infection.