What is the minimum air pressure differential between the OR and surrounding areas?

What is the minimum air pressure differential between the OR and surrounding areas?

• A. 0.01 inch water gauge (positive pressure)
• B. 0.02 inch water gauge (positive pressure)
• C. 0.01 inch water gauge (negative pressure)
• D. 0.05 inch water gauge (positive pressure)

Answer: (A)

Maintaining a positive pressure in the operating room relative to surrounding areas helps keep contaminants from flowing into the sterile space when doors are opened. The smallest positive pressure differential that still provides this protective effect is 0.01 inch water gauge. A negative differential would pull room air in and compromise sterility, while larger positive differentials are possible but not necessary for the minimum requirement.

Maintaining a positive pressure in the operating room relative to surrounding areas helps keep contaminants from flowing into the sterile space when doors are opened. The smallest positive pressure differential that still provides this protective effect is 0.01 inch water gauge. A negative differential would pull room air in and compromise sterility, while larger positive differentials are possible but not necessary for the minimum requirement.