: Many sterile items, such as chemical indicators and certain biological monitors, have specific environmental requirements to remain effective [1]. Monitoring and Compliance
The current AORN-endorsed baseline requirement dictates an acceptable relative humidity range of , and a maximum ceiling of 60% for sterile storage rooms . These guidelines align with core architectural and engineering benchmarks established by the ANSI/ASHRAE/ASHE Standard 170 . The Evolution of the 20% to 60% Standard
| Parameter | AORN Guideline | |-----------|----------------| | | 20–60% relative humidity | | Action threshold (low) | <20% for 15+ min | | Action threshold (high) | >60% for 15+ min | | Monitoring | Continuous, visible in OR | | Evidence basis | SSI prevention, infection control, equipment safety |
The provides evidence-based guidelines for maintaining humidity in the surgical environment to ensure patient safety and the integrity of sterile supplies. Current Humidity Standards