OR Air Setbacks May Not Affect Outcomes
Findings suggest lower ventilation during idle periods may reduce energy use without worsening outcomes.
By
Andrea Surnit
April 27, 2026
Objective: To evaluate the impact of reduced operating room ventilation during unoccupied periods on postoperative outcomes.
Approach: Key Findings: Lower rates of superficial SSI (7.8% vs 8.7%) and deep SSI (0.5% vs 0.8%) post-implementation. Slight decreases in 30-day mortality (1.5% vs 1.7%) and 90-day mortality (2.9% vs 3.2%). Median length of stay was slightly shorter after the intervention. No significant differences in SSI, ICU admission, or 30-day mortality after adjusting for patient and procedural factors. Annual electricity consumption decreased by approximately 1.35 million kWh, resulting in nearly $135,000 in cost savings. Interpretation: Reduced ventilation during unoccupied periods may lower energy use without adversely affecting measured patient outcomes.
Limitations: Observational, single-center design limits generalizability. Residual confounding could not be excluded. Conclusion: The findings support optimization of ventilation practices within existing guidelines without compromising patient safety.
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