An open wound can present the ideal place for germs to settle and breed, causing infection.  The ECO-flow™ ultraclean ventilation (UCV) system is a proven and effective way to clean the air in operating theatres, supporting good working practices and theatre design and dramatically reducing the risks of surgical site infection (SSI).

• Adaptability – an ultraclean theatre can be used for a wider range of surgery, converting from general to ultraclean in under an hour
• Combatting HCAI – when used in combination with good pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative measures, UCV plays a critical role in the fight again healthcare associated infections (HCAI)
• Flexibility – modern UCV canopies, particularly the new screenless models, integrate with the increasingly popular hybrid and integrated theatres, complementing the latest developments in theatre design and the movement towards equipping theatres with imaging equipment, lasers, endoscopy equipment, robotics etc

We know that UCV works.  HTM 03-01 confirms that the link between surgical site infection and theatre air quality is well established: “…ultra-clean ventilation systems (which are designed to provide a zone around the patient that is effectively free of bacteria-carrying airborne particles while the operation is in progress) have been shown to significantly reduce surgical site infection in patients undergoing large joint replacement surgery.”

NICE has reported that SSI represents significant costs to the NHS, ranging from £2,100 to £10,500 per infection, depending on the nature of the surgery.

Expert opinion suggests that costs can be as high as £20,000 per surgical site infection for complex surgery and up to £14,000 for more general surgery. It has been estimated that the total cost to the NHS is around £700m a year.  Treatment of patients with SSI also reduces the capacity to treat other patients, creating a further inefficiency.

From these figures, it’s clear that the costs of revisionary surgery to treat SSI can far exceed the cost of the original surgery, as well as causing untold stress for patients and possible future health concerns.

On this basis alone, a UCV canopy more than pays for itself, with purchase and running costs offset against the money saved by lower post-operative SSI rates, less revisionary surgery and shorter hospital stays.

The ECO-flow™ UCV canopy is just one of the clean air products we offer.  Our lay-up cabinet <link to page> and mobile laminar flow solutions create a safe environment for the laying-up of surgical instruments and can be used in all types of operating rooms and surgical preparation rooms.

We also offer a full range of specialist operating theatre equipment supplied by trusted, market-leading partners.  This includes:

• Operating theatre lights and BBU
• Theatre control panels
• Medical service pendants
• PACS workstations
• AV solutions
• Medical IT (IPS)
• Uninterruptable Power Supplies (UPS)