Factors Affecting the Thermal Comfort of Perioperative Personnel in the OR

Karahan A., Budak Ertürk E., Uğurlu Z., Ünlü H., Akovalı N., Tepe A., ...Daha Fazla

AORN Journal, cilt.111, sa.3, ss.333-344, 2020 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 111 Sayı: 3
  • Basım Tarihi: 2020
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1002/aorn.12963
  • Dergi Adı: AORN Journal
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.333-344
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: surgical clothing, temperature, thermal comfort, thermal sensation, ventilation
  • Gazi Üniversitesi Adresli: Hayır

Özet

Thermal comfort is an important component of any work setting and can be difficult to achieve in the complex OR environment. This comparative descriptive study sought to identify factors affecting the thermal comfort of perioperative personnel in the OR (N = 68). Researchers used the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers Thermal Sensation Scale and researcher-developed surveys to collect data. The mean reported thermal comfort level was −0.44 (standard deviation 1.3), which is within acceptable parameters. Factors affecting thermal comfort were gender, professional role, and wearing additional clothing. Additionally, participants who complained about temperature or ventilation were less likely to report thermal comfort levels in the normal range. Health care facility leaders should consider the comfort needs of perioperative personnel when making purchasing decisions about ventilation systems and surgical clothing; however, they also should consider other factors (eg, surgeon comfort, permeability of protective clothing to blood and other body fluids).