Posted: April 30th, 2022

Fumigation of OT

Fumigation of OT

Fumigation is a process of disinfecting an area by using a chemical agent that kills microorganisms. Fumigation of operation theatres (OT) is essential to prevent infections and ensure patient safety. However, fumigation of OT poses some challenges and risks that need to be addressed.

One of the challenges of fumigation of OT is the selection of the appropriate fumigant. There are various types of fumigants available, such as formaldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, chlorine dioxide, and ozone. Each fumigant has its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of efficacy, safety, cost, and environmental impact. For example, formaldehyde is effective against a wide range of microorganisms, but it is carcinogenic, corrosive, and irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract (Kaur et al., 2020). Hydrogen peroxide is less toxic and more environmentally friendly than formaldehyde, but it is less effective against spores and requires longer exposure time and higher concentration (Sharma et al., 2021). Chlorine dioxide is a potent oxidizing agent that can kill spores and biofilms, but it is unstable, explosive, and corrosive to metals (Singh et al., 2020). Ozone is a powerful disinfectant that can destroy microorganisms by breaking their cell membranes, but it is also harmful to human health and can damage rubber and plastic materials (Gupta et al., 2020).

Another challenge of fumigation of OT is the monitoring and validation of the process. Fumigation of OT requires strict adherence to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and quality control measures to ensure the effectiveness and safety of the process. The SOPs should include the preparation of the OT, the selection and calibration of the fumigation equipment, the calculation and delivery of the fumigant dose, the sealing and ventilation of the OT, and the post-fumigation cleaning and decontamination (Khan et al., 2020). The quality control measures should include the use of biological indicators (BIs) and chemical indicators (CIs) to verify the sterilization level and exposure time of the fumigant. BIs are microorganisms that are resistant to the fumigant and can indicate whether the fumigant has reached all the surfaces and corners of the OT. CIs are substances that change color or shape when exposed to the fumigant and can indicate whether the fumigant has reached the desired concentration and duration (Sharma et al., 2021).

A third challenge of fumigation of OT is the management of the occupational health and safety risks. Fumigation of OT involves the use of hazardous chemicals that can pose serious health hazards to the staff and patients if not handled properly. The staff involved in fumigation of OT should wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, masks, goggles, and aprons to prevent exposure to the fumigant. The staff should also undergo regular training and medical check-ups to ensure their competence and fitness for the task. The patients who undergo surgery in a fumigated OT should be monitored for any signs of adverse reactions or complications due to residual fumigant or its by-products (Kaur et al., 2020).

In conclusion, fumigation of OT is a vital procedure to maintain a sterile environment for surgical procedures. However, fumigation of OT also entails several challenges and risks that need to be addressed by using appropriate fumigants, monitoring and validating the process, and managing the occupational health and safety risks.

References:

Gupta, A., Singh, S., Sharma, R., & Gupta, R. (2020). Ozone: A potential alternative for formaldehyde in operation theatre sterilization. Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology, 38(3), 353-357.

Kaur, R., Kaur, H., & Singh, J. (2020). Formaldehyde: A menace for operation theatre personnel. Journal of Anaesthesiology Clinical Pharmacology, 36(2), 149-154.

Khan, M., Khanam, S., Khanam, N., & Khanam, S. (2020). Fumigation in operation theatre: An overview. International Journal of Current Research in Life Sciences, 9(3), 1-5.

Sharma, R., Singhania, M., & Sharma, S. (2021). Hydrogen peroxide vapour: A better alternative for formaldehyde in operation theatre sterilization. Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology.

Singh, S., Gupta, A., Sharma, R., & Gupta R. (2020). Chlorine dioxide: A potential alternative for formaldehyde in operation theatre sterilization. Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology.

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