The study is a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial conducted at six major university and teaching hospitals with a catchment population of approximately 2 million. In the current study it has been hypothesized that a non-invasive air cleaner utilizing a plasma chamber can significantly reduce the incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs).
Despite operating in clean theaters, surface sterilization, and antibiotics, surgical site infections (SSI) after orthopaedic surgery have an estimated incidence of 1-4%. This feared complication is associated with long-term antibiotics, repeated surgeries, prolonged hospital stays, economic burden and a poorer end result for individual patients. It is therefore of great importance to prevent SSI.While skin bacteria and contaminated surfaces have generally been claimed to be the main cause of infections, there are estimates that approximately 20% of hospital-acquired infections are air-transmitted, making this an interesting intervention target. Novaerus is an air-cleaner that sterilizes the air particles through a plasma chamber. Air in the operating theatre is pumped through the chamber (80-380 m3/Hr) and by using a small current it transforms the gas in the vicinity of the electrode into plasmaand eradicates any bacteria that pass through.The small size of the machine allows it to fit into any operating theater without interfering with existing equipment. This technology can reduce the number of colony forming units (CFU) when in hospital settings. In non-randomized settings it has been correlated to reduced respiratory infections, reduced personnel sick-leave, and absence of severe infectious outbreaks. Its effect has not been validated in randomized controlled trials. Both local and national registry data will be used according to availability.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
45,000
The air-cleaner sterilizes the air particles through a plasma chamber. Air in the operating theatre is pumped through the chamber (80 - 380 m3/Hr) and by using a small current it transforms the gas in the vicinity of the electrode into plasma and eradicates any bacteria that pass through. The air-cleaner has to have been turned on for at least 2 days prior to the surgical intervention.
The machine decribed above is running but the plasma filter chamber isn't active, i.e. the placebo group.
Patients with multiple surgeries that have been operated during both periods when the apparatus has been on and off will belong to this mixed group.
Danderyds Sjukhus AB
Stockholm, Sweden
Number of patients with surgical site infection after orthopaedic surgery, defined as any of the following: using antibiotics targeting Staphylococcus aureus, having ICD-codes or surgery codes indicating postoperative infection.
All definitions are merged into one binary outcome measure as "any(No. \> 0)"
Time frame: Within 12 weeks after surgery
Patients using any antibiotics after surgery
This is identified either via hospital information system or from the national drug registry. Usage is defined as withdrawal or prescription of a drug with ATC code within the J01 group.
Time frame: Two treatment days or more during the first 30 postoperative days
Number of days with antibiotics
This is identified either via hospital information system or from the national drug registry. Usage is defined as withdrawal or prescription of a drug with ATC code within the J01 group. Number of days is deduced from the prescribed dosage or if not present the average daily dosage for that particular drug is used.
Time frame: During the first 30 postoperative days
Patients using any antibiotics after surgery
This is identified either via hospital information system or from the national drug registry. Usage is defined as withdrawal or prescription of a drug with ATC code within the J01 group.
Time frame: Two treatment days or more during the first 90 postoperative days
Number of days with antibiotics
This is identified either via hospital information system or from the national drug registry. Usage is defined as withdrawal or prescription of a drug with ATC code within the J01 group. Number of days is deduced from the prescribed dosage or if not present the average daily dosage for that particular drug is used.
Time frame: Two treatment days or more during the first 90 postoperative days
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Death
Any cause of death
Time frame: during the first 2 postoperative years