Two operation theatre complexes of the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Department of the Government Vellore Medical College Hospital (GVMCH) have got nano shielding for better patient safety during and after surgeries. This reduces the risk of infections and keeps the theatres sterile.
E. Sivakumar, Head of the Department of ENT and Medical Superintendent, GVMCH, said this was the first time that ENT operation theatres (OTs) were being upgraded with nano shielding at a government hospital in Tamil Nadu.
“Nano shielding are usually done for renal transplant, heart transplant and cardio thoracic OTs. We have utilised Rs. 10 lakh generated by the ENT Department under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS) for nano shielding the OTs,” he said.
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Objects inside the OT, including the walls, instruments and equipment, get nano coating. The nano materials will prevent/destroy all bacteria.
“ The entire OT is sterile. The air is purified and circulated inside . The major advantage is the infection rate is almost negligible,” he said.
Usually, OTs are cleaned every day with soap and water and fumigated at least once a week. For sterilising the OTs, a chemical known as formalin is used in fumigation and this is known to cause odour and burning sensation to the workers, doctors said.
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“An OT cannot be used immediately after fumigation and the air has to be let out. Nano shielding helps keep the OTs sterile and saves manpower, time and the use of antibiotics,” Dr. Sivakumar explained.
Patients can be taken for surgery without zero delay, he said.
The ENT Department has been doing well in performing several surgeries under the CMCHIS. GVMCH Dean Sithi Athiya Munawara inaugurated the OTs that got nano shielding on Friday.