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Fumaigation Process in Operation Theaters
The document discusses fumigation as a critical method for controlling surgical site infections (SSIs) in operation theaters by sterilizing the environment through various chemical agents. It outlines the types of fumigants used, their effectiveness, and the procedures for fumigating spaces, including safety measures and alternatives due to the toxic nature of traditional methods like formaldehyde. Emerging compounds and methods for sterilization that minimize health risks and provide effective infection control are also highlighted.
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Fumaigation Process in Operation Theaters
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- 3. Introduction Surgical site infections(SSIs) are the second most common cause of hospital acquired infections. The source of SSIs may be endogenous or exogenous, which includes surgical personnel ,the operating room environment (including air), and tools, instruments, and materials brought to the sterile field during an operation. By maintaining sterile environment in operation theatre we can control major part of exogenous infections. Fumigation is the process by which we can sterilize the enclosed area by injecting the chemical which will kill or destroy microbes present in the air.
- 4. In 1867 –Dr.JosephLister first identifies airborne bacteria and uses Carbolic acid spray in surgical areas. He introduced the antiseptic spray to the operating theatre to disinfect the atmosphere around the operating table. It worked by heating water to boiling point in the upper chamber of the instrument, so that steam was forced out of the tube on the right. The carbolic acid in the glass container was drawn up and mixed with the steam before being emitted into the air.
- 5. Fumigation Fumigation is aprocess of gaseous sterilisation which is used for killing of micro-organisms and prevention of microbial growth in air, surface of wall or floor. It is generally used in the pharmaceuticals, operation theatres, hospitals, hotels and offices and wherever required. Method of fumigation completely fills an area with gaseous fumigants to suffocate or poison the microbes & pests within.
- 6. Widely used fumigantsinclude: • Formaldehyde • phosphine • 1,3-dichloropropene • chloropicrin • methyl isocyanate • hydrogen cyanide • sulfuryl fluoride • Iodoform • Methyl bromide Fumigation equipment
- 7. Formaldehyde A gas atroom temperature, formaldehyde is colorless and has a characteristic pungent, irritating odor. When dissolved in water, formaldehyde forms a hydrate methanediol. A saturated water solution, that contains about 40% formaldehyde by volume or 37% by mass, is called "100% formalin". A typical commercial grade formalin may contain 10– 12% methanol polymerization. added to suppress oxidation and
- 8. Formaldehyde at approximately5% in a solution with water is used as a fumigant and disinfectant in hospitals. Formoldehyde kills microbes by alkylating the amino acids and sulfydral group of proteins and purine bases. In order to be effective, the gas has to dissolve in the film of moisture surrounding the bacteria, for this reason relative humidities in the order of 75% RH and temperature above 22°C. Formaldehyde molecule
- 9. Methods Electric Boiler FumigationMethod: For Each 1000 cu.ft 500ml of formaldehyde added in 1000ml of water in an electric boiler. Switch on the boiler, leave the room and seal the door. After 45 minutes switch off the boiler without entering in to the room. Potassium Permanganate Method: For every 1000 cubic feet add 450gm of Potassium permanganate (KMnO4) to 500 ml of formaldehyde. Take about 5 to 8 bowels with equally divided parts of formaldehyde and add equally divided KMnO4 to each bowel. This will cause auto boiling and generate fume.
- 10. Neutralisation After the initiationof formaldehyde vapour immediately leave the room and seal it for at least 48 hours Neutralise residual formalin gas with Ammonia by exposing 250ml of Ammonia per litre of Formaldehyde used. Place the Ammonia solution in the centre of the room and leave it for 3 hours to neutralise formalin vapour.
- 11. Quantity Example Operation Theatrevolume=L×B×H=20×15×10=3000 cubicfeet Formaldehyde required for fumigation=500ml for 1000 cubic feet So 1500ml Formaldehyde required Ammonia Required for neutralisation=150ml of 10% ammonia for 500ml of formaldehyde So 450ml of 10% ammonia required
- 12. Phosphine Phosphine is thecompound with the chemical formula PH3. It is a colorless, flammable, toxic gas. Pure phosphine is odorless, but technical grade samples have a highly unpleasant odor. Phosphine-producing materials have become the predominant fumigants used for the fumigation of OT & bulk-stored grain throughout the world. It is available in solid formulations phosphide or magnesium phosphide. of aluminum
- 13. When exposed toheat and moisture the formulations release phosphine, a highly toxic gas. The time required for release of phosphine will vary with temperature and formulation. Phosphine is very toxic to all forms of animal life, hence exposure of human beings even to small amounts should be avoided. Phosphine can be produced via tablets or phosphine producing equipment.
- 14. * Phosphine is generalyused for fumigating huge quantity of food grain than operation theatre Phosphine producing Equipment Phosphine Tablets
- 15. 1,3-dichloropropene &chloropicrin 1,3-dichloropropene & chloropicrin is generaly used as soil fumigants only Methyl isocyanate Methyl isocyanate is an intermediate chemical in the production of carbamate pesticides. Methyl isocyanate fumes can also be used as a fumigant. Methyl isocyanate (MIC) is extremely toxic. It was the principal toxin involved in the Bhopal disaster. Even small quantity is extremely toxic to humans, so currently not used in fumigation.
- 16. Methyl Bromide Methyl Bromideis most widely used fumigant for quarantine purposes It is a preferred fumigant because of its good penetrating ability, rapid action, high toxicity to a broad spectrum of micro organisms and pests. The effectiveness of methyl bromide is based on the following: • Dosage of the fumigant • Duration of exposure • Temperature
- 17. When fumigation iscarried out with Methyl Bromide fumigant, there will not be any residual issues as aeration can be carried out easily. Methyl Bromide fumigation can be carried out at the dosage that varies between 32 grams/ m3 and 80 grams/ m3 as per the requirements. Methyl bromide is considered to be a significant ozone depleting substance (ODS) by atmospheric scientists. Methyl bromide is readily photolyzed in the atmosphere to release elemental bromine, which is far more destructive to stratospheric ozone than chlorine.
- 18. Preparation for fumigation Firstthe area intended to be fumigated is usually covered to create a sealed environment. The fumigant is released into the space to be fumigated. The space is held for a set period while the fumigant gas percolates through the space and acts on and kills any infestation. The space is neutralised & ventilated so that the poisonous gases are allowed to escape from the space, and render it safe for humans to enter.
- 19. Windows, doors shouldbe closed. AC and AHU should be switched off before starting fumigation. Area under fumigation, do not enter status label should be displayed on either side of the entrance. Fumigants are irritating and toxic to human eye, nose and throat. Therefore use of nose mask and goggles while doing fumigation is advisable.
- 20. Under certain conditionsformaldehyde can react with hydrochloric acid and chlorine containing disinfectants such as hypochlorites to form chloromethyl a potential lung carcinogen. HCl and chlorine containing disinfectants must therefore be removed from areas before fumigation. Check levels of residual fumigant in the room with suitable air monitoring equipment(formaldameter or air sampling tubes). The procedure is best carried out overnight.
- 21. After a periodof not less than 12 hours the room must be well ventilated. OT is usable only when the level of formaldehyde is less than 2ppm. Formaldemeter
- 22. Personal care whileFumigation Adequate care must be taken by wearing cap, mask,foot cover, spectacles. Formaldehyde is irritant to eye & nose; and it has been recognized as potential carcinogen. Immediately leave the room after the initiation of fumigants. So the fumigating employee must be provided with personal protective equipment.
- 23. Advantages of Fumigation Fumigantsare toxic to all forms of life. Therefore, it is possible to control all life stages of Micro organisms. Fumigation is often the quickest way of controlling an infestation, saving time and money. Fumigants can reach where sprays, dusts, aerosols etc cannot reach. Reduced residue problems in treated areas. Fumigants are used where standards call for "zero Microbial tolerance" in products or living environments.
- 24. Disadvantages of Fumigation ¤Generally Formaldehyde is used for OT fumigation. Based on the available evidence in OSHA’s record on Formaldehyde, it determines formaldehyde as isgenotoxic, showing properties of both a cancer initiator and promoter. In humans formaldehyde exposure has been associated with cancers of the lung, nasopharynx and nasal passages. Symptoms of excessive exposure include respiratory irritation, itchy eyes, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat and headache.
- 25. Formaldehyde allergy Formaldehyde allergy symptoms include redness, burningsensation, scaling and irritation of skin. Eye contact can cause pain, burning sensation, blurred vision and excessive tearing. Further, formaldehyde can cause difficulty breathing in allergic individuals, particularly those with asthma or another respiratory condition.
- 26. Alternative methods Fumigation isan age old process of sterilisation, of the environment, may be a sick room or operation theatres. In spite of brief stay of patients in the operation theatre, the environment of operation theatre plays a great role in the onset and spread of infections. But every hospital should pay good attention in proper maintenance of air conditioning plants, ventilator systems, and to have greater control on mechanisms and personnel involved in disinfection.
- 27. Many believe thatroutine Microbiological monitoring is most essential but in reality it is not practicable. Special air flow pattern (the air flow pattern is such that filtered and purified air circulates and contaminated air is removed continuously). There should be restriction of personnel traffic, closing of OT doors and a good ventilation system. Standard cleaning, disinfection with appropriate chemical agents, good theatre practice, discipline, can provide a microbiologically safe environment.
- 28. Fumigation is obsoletein many developed nations in view of toxic nature of Formalin. Several new safe chemicals are emerging but constrains of economy limit the use and several hours of closure of operation theatres can be curtailed as with Fumigation. Aldehydes are potentially carcinogenic and it is therefore recommended that other agents such as hydrogen peroxide, hydrogen peroxide with silver nitrate, peracitic acid and other chemical compounds of formaldehyde should be used in place of the currently prevalent practice of using formaldehyde.
- 29. These agents aredispersed with the aid of a fogger-like device inside the theatre environment. The contact time is about an hour and the theatre can be used immediately after the contact time. Fogging method
- 30. Emerging Compounds inuse for Sterilization of Operation theatres Bacillocidrasant: A newer and effective compound in environmental decontamination with very good cost/benefit ratio, good material compatibility, excellent cleaning properties and virtually no residues. It has the advantage of being a Formaldehyde-free disinfectant cleaner with low use concentration.
- 31. Advantages Provides complete asepsiswithin 30 to 60 minutes. Cleaning with detergent or carbolic acid not required. Formalin fumigation not required. Shutdown of O.T. for 24 hrs. not required. VIRKON VIRKON is gaining importance as non-Aldehyde compound Virkon is proved to be a safe virucidal, bactericidal, fungicidal, mycobactericidal and non-toxic compound.
- 32. It contains oxone(potassium peroxymonosulphate), sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, sulphamic acid; and inorganic buffers. It is typically used for cleaning up hazardous spills, disinfecting surfaces and soaking equipment. Though Virkon is shown to have wide spectrum of activity against viruses, some fungi, and bacteria, it however is less effective against spores and fungi than some alternative disinfectants. Several other compounds are emerging in the Market for safer use, may need better resources for utility and implementation.