OR Air Setbacks May Not Affect Outcomes
Findings suggest lower ventilation during idle periods may reduce energy use without worsening outcomes.
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By
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Andrea Surnit
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April 27, 2026
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Objective:
To evaluate the impact of reduced operating room ventilation during unoccupied periods on postoperative outcomes.
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.
