Construction guidelines

AORN Journal, July, 2007 by Sharon Giarrizzo-Wilson

QUESTION: We are building a new OR designed for large orthopedic procedures. How many air exchanges per hour should this room have? Are there different guidelines for OR temperature and humidity in new construction? Where is the best place to find this information?

ANSWER: Air exchanges in operative and procedural intervention rooms should be maintained at 15 exchanges per hour. Current guidelines for temperature range between 68[degrees]F and 73[degrees]F (20[degrees]C and 23[degrees]C) with a corresponding relative humidity of 30% to 60%. (1) These parameters for new construction have not changed with publication of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) newest Guidelines for Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities. (1)

The AIA establishes the national health care design and construction guidelines. Detailed information related to new and existing structures is provided for hospitals; ambulatory care facilities (eg, free-standing surgical facilities, office-based surgical facilities), and nonsurgical health care facilities. These guidelines, though recognized as the national standard for health care construction, may be superseded by local or state building codes. For example, currently the AIA does not designate temperature or humidity levels for the storage of anesthesia gases, but local or state building codes may identify specific criteria for medical gas storage with more stringent controls. When erecting new structures or remodeling existing spaces, always consult the facility's engineer to identify changes in building codes that may affect the project.

REFERENCE

(1.) The American Institute of Architects. Guidelines for Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities, 2006. Washington, DC: The American Institute of Architects; 2006:130.

SHARON GIARRIZZON-WILSON, RN, MS, CNOR