Thermal environment conditions in Polish operating rooms

• We measured thermal conditions in 37 operating rooms (ORs).
• Surgeons, nurses, surgeon's assistants perceived thermal environment as too warm.
• Operating staff differ in term of thermal requirements.
• Measurement data were compared with standards.

Although difficult to implement, thermal comfort of medical staff in an operating room (OR) deserves adequate attention because it can influence the effectiveness, and efficiency of medical procedures.The aim of this study was to evaluate thermal conditions and thermal sensation of medical staff working at Polish hospitals and operating rooms. Therefore, measurements of thermal environmental parameters were conducted, and results of calculation of PMV index were compared to ISO 7730 requirements. Additionally, the measurements were compared to standards: Polish ‘Design guidelines for hospitals’, DIN 1946, FprCEN TR 16244 and ASHRAE 170 and domestic regulations.Thermal environment in majority of Polish ORs was assessed as ‘warm’ by surgeons, as ‘slightly warm’ by nurses and surgeon's assistants and as comfortable by anaesthetists. Anaesthetists (70 W/m2) wearing light insulated surgical clothes (Icl = 1clo) perceive thermal comfort as satisfying in ca. 90% of ORs, while surgeon's assistants and nurses (100 W/m2) in ca. 30% of ORs. The surgeons (130 W/m2) perceive thermal comfort only in ca. 5% of ORs. Wearing medium insulated surgical clothes (Icl = 1.3clo) anaesthetists perceive thermal comfort as satisfying in ca. 60% of ORs, while surgeon's assistants and nurses in ca. 5% of ORs. The surgeons in any of the ORs perceive thermal environment as comfortable. Wearing highly insulated surgical clothes (Icl = 1.5clo) anaesthetists perceive thermal comfort as satisfying in ca. 40% of ORs, while surgeon's assistants, nurses and surgeons in any of the ORs.