Thermal comfort in operating rooms: a case study

This paper focuses on thermal comfort in hospital operating rooms (ORs). Thermal comfort depends on several factors such as temperature conditions of the operating room, insulation of protective clothing, stress, rate of metabolism and safety mechanisms in the body to keep core temperature stable. The modification of any of these elements triggers defense mechanisms which in extreme cases may lead to serious disturbances in the body. The maintenance of recommended standards (ISO 7330) concerning thermal conditions in operating rooms ensures the highest possible physical capabilities of the personnel while providing maximum safety for the patients. The purpose of the present work is to report the results obtained during an experimental campaign carried out at the Umberto I Hospital in Enna in order to improve efficiency of HVAC installations to secure thermal comfort in the operating rooms.