THE CONTROL OF OPERATING-SUITE TEMPERATURES*

Journal/Book: Brit. J. industr. Med. 1963 20 284.. 1963;

Abstract: British Navy Staff Washington D.C. (RECEIVED FOR PUBLICATION FEBRUARY 20 1963) Read at the 16th Annual Meeting of the Postgraduate Assembly in Anaesthesiology of the New York State Society of the American Society of Anaesthesiologists on December 7 1962. Three main requirements influence the control of the temperatures of operating suites: (1) avoid humidities which contribute to the risks of anaesthetic explosions; (2) promote the comfort and working efficiency of the staff; and (3) conserve the patient's resources. In the United States an air temperature of 70 to 75°F. (21 to 24°C.) with 50 to 60 % relative humidity provides a compromise between the requirements of the patients and those of the operators. ln Britain a temperature of 65 to 70°F. (18 to 21°C.) and a relative humidity of 50% is "well tolerated for many hours". In the U.S.S.R. air-conditioning should provide in summer an air temperature of 68 to 72·5°F. (20 to 22°C.) and in winter 66 to 68°F. (19 to 20°C.) with a relative humidity of 55 %. According to the American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Engineers (1961) Guide "little is known about optimum air conditions for maintaining normal body temperatures during anaesthesia and the immediate post-operative period". Clarke and his colleagues' observation in New York City that the patient's temperature begins to rise when the wet-bulb temperature exceeds 75°F. (23·8°C.) fills one important gap. But this finding may not apply to other populations. Deaths from heat stress have occurred in Britain with wet-bulb temperatures of this order; and in the tropics surgeons operate successfully without air-conditioning where the ambient wet-bulb temperature rarely falls much below 75°F. (23·8°C.). . . .

Zurück | Weiter