The American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) of the American Hospital Association has published a monograph titled Operating Room HVAC Setback Strategies. The monograph, which is part of a series of publications that cover single topics in clinical/biomedical engineering, facility engineering, design and construction, and safety and security management, details how operating room HVAC setback strategies can save energy. An operating room (OR) setback strategy reduces energy use by curtailing the amount of air supplied to an OR when the room is not in use. It may also allow temperature or humidity settings, or both, to drift when the room is not occupied.
Referencing comprehensive national and state standards from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) for healthcare ventilation, the publication lists key considerations for adoption of OR setback strategies and fundamental controlling factors that determine how a strategy is implemented. The paper outlines potential solutions and notes that a successful solution must take into account factors such as climate, facility type, and user needs as well as adhering to applicable code requirements.
