Hospital sanitation examined

Extensive experiments with a full-scale theatre model of the domed-roof type have shown it is possible to build up an air pressure within the theatre and to maintain it with a specified rate of air change when all openings to other rooms are closed. To achieve this without induced extraction by fans, the air-inlet system has to be designed to maintain, on the type of room tested, an air flow with a room pressure equivalent to 0.04 in. to 0.1 in. water gauge. The pressure range was found to be fairly critical, as regulation below 0.04 in. was difficult to maintain and, above 0.1 in., the effect of air pressure on the opening and shutting of doors became unpleasant.

Sterilising procedures

Within the last decade serious concern has been expressed regarding the deficiencies in hospital sterilising technique. Prof. Howie of the Department of Bacteriology of Glasgow University has been in the vanguard of research. Procedures previously considered acceptable have been condemned and the British Standards Institute has endeavoured to create a specification for high pressure high vacuum autoclave sterilisers. In America the sterilisation of dressings and instruments in package form has long been accepted, but old methods prevail over here and drums are still packed and used.

The time has come when all instruments used in an operating theatre should be sterilised in a high pressure steriliser. The days have gone when one could be content with boiling instruments before an operation. Instruments could be sterilised for the same time and pressure as for dressings, but as they dry quickly, the drying period could be considerably reduced. lnstruments should never be sterilised at the same time as dressings, as the steam might condense on the metal.

Source of article

This article is a summary of the Chadwick Lecture paper delivered by D.A. Goldfinch E.R.D., DIP.T.P., DIP.H.ENG., F.R.I.B.A., F.R.S.H., under the auspices of the Chadwick Trust, at the Royal Society of Health headquarters in March 1960. Permission was obtained by the Institution of Hospital Engineers (now IHEEM) to publish the full text in its journal, The Hospital Engineer, and it appeared in the September 1960 edition. This text had previously been published in the Royal Society of Health’s Journal. Currently, plans to merge The Royal Society of Health and the Royal Institute of Public Health have reached an advanced stage. The launch of the merged organisation is expected later this year.