How to Select and Maintain Air Filters in Operating Rooms?

Three Core Indicators for Selecting Operating Room Air Filters

1.Filtration Class:

Insist on "H14-Class High-Efficiency HEPA" – higher is not always better. 

The core area of the operating room (above the operating table) must use H14-class high-efficiency HEPA filters, which have a filtration efficiency of over 99.995% for 0.3μm particles and can effectively block most bacterial and viral carriers. 

Two misunderstandings should be avoided here: first, "higher class means safer" – blindly choosing U15-class ultra-high-efficiency filters will significantly increase fan energy consumption with extremely low cost performance; second, "replacing with medium-efficiency filters" – medium-efficiency filters (F8-F9 class) can only filter particles larger than 1μm, which completely fail to meet the sterile requirements of operating rooms.

2.Sealing Performance:

A leakage rate > 0.1% is a "safety hazard". 

No matter how good the filter is, poor sealing renders it useless. After installation, a PAO leak test is required to ensure the leakage rate ≤ 0.1%. Many small hospitals choose filters with ordinary sponge sealing to save costs, which experience seal aging and air leakage within 3 months of use, leading to a sharp drop in the air compliance rate of the clean area – this is an "invisible killer" of surgical infections.

3.Material and Antibacterial Properties:

Reject ordinary filter materials that "easily breed bacteria". In the high-humidity and high-cleanliness environment of operating rooms, filter media must be glass fiber or PTFE membrane materials – these materials are not only high-temperature resistant and moisture-proof but also can effectively prevent bacteria from growing on the filter surface. Ordinary non-woven filter materials should be firmly avoided; these materials are prone to mold after absorbing moisture and instead become "hotbeds" for bacterial reproduction. This hidden danger is particularly prominent in humid southern regions.

Usage and Maintenance of Operating Room Filters

1.Replacement Cycle:

Don’t wait until "it’s broken to replace" – relying on data is more scientific. Many hospitals replace filters based on experience, which is an extremely dangerous practice. The correct replacement standard is: when the final resistance of the filter reaches twice the initial resistance (usually the initial resistance is about 120Pa, and the final resistance reaches 240Pa), it must be replaced immediately. Overused filters not only have a significant drop in filtration efficiency but also cause insufficient fan air volume due to excessive resistance, damaging the air distribution in the operating room and turning the clean area into a "dead zone".

2.Front-End Pre-Filtration:

Add a "protective cover" to extend the service life of high-efficiency filters. Installing an F8-class medium-efficiency pre-filter at the front end of the high-efficiency filter can effectively intercept large particles of dust and impurities, reduce the load on the high-efficiency filter, and extend its service life by 2-3 times. Although this operation seems to increase costs, it actually reduces the overall operation and maintenance expenses – proper front-end protection can significantly reduce the replacement frequency.

3.Regular Leak Detection:

Once every 6 months to avoid "invisible air leakage". It is recommended to conduct a PAO leak test on operating room air filters every 6 months, focusing on checking air leakage-prone parts such as the connection between the filter and the frame and the sealing strips. If air leakage is found, the sealing strips or filters must be replaced in a timely manner to avoid substandard cleanliness caused by local air leakage and leave hidden dangers for surgical infections

The outstanding performance of the operating room air filtration system stems from the scientific selection and the consistent meticulous maintenance. Welcome to contact our team at any time to obtain targeted professional support!