Efficacy Evaluation of Liquid Desiccant Air Conditioning System to Elevate the Air Cleanliness of Operating Theatres

Background: The air quality and cleanliness monitoring in operating theatres is not well studied. Particularly, investigations are needed on the air quality and cleanliness in high turn-over operating theatres in medical centers in Taiwan. Research on the correlation of air change rates and the air quality and cleanliness in the operating theatres is further required. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of different air conditioning systems (traditional cooling dehumidifying air conditioning system and liquid desiccant air conditioning system) and air change rates on the air quality during operations in traumatic operating theatres. Additionally, for the energy saving and carbon reduction purpose, we will determine the minimum air change rates by different air conditioning systems during traumatic operations for the optimal air quality. Methods: Six 10,000-level traumatic operating theatres, including three under traditional cooling dehumidifying air conditioning system and three under liquid desiccant air conditioning system, in a medical center in northern Taiwan will be selected. The air quality of selected theatres will be evaluated for consecutive 24-hours once per bi-month. The environmental evaluations include temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide concentrations, volatile organic compounds concentrations, airborne particle and bacterial concentrations, and surface bacterial amounts. To determine the optimal air change rates, different combinations of rates will be examined, including 30 times/hour, 25 times/hour, or 20 times/hour during the day, and 15 times/hour, 10 times/hour, or 5 times/hour during the night. Expected results: We presume different air conditioning system and air change rates influence the air quality during operations. We will determine the minimum air change rates by different air conditioning systems during traumatic operations.

Project ID:PC10408-1268
External Project ID:MOST104-2314-B182-010