Do airborne contaminants increase the risk of prosthetic joint infections? In this podcast, Dr. John Harp discusses his observational study on sterile field bioburden levels in operating rooms in the United States and the risks associated with rising microbe carrying particles. Dr. Harp shares his expertise in the field, as he has a background in engineering and orthopedic surgery and has implemented industrial cleanroom techniques in the operating room for improved patient safety. He also explains the ASHRAE 170 standard, and how the use of a settle plate technique has helped to measure viable particles in the critical zone. Listen now to discover how increased air quality standards can reduce the risk of PGI.

Dr. John Harp

Dr Harp worked as a civil engineer for ten years before attending medical school in Arkansas.  He worked as a research engineer on several orthopedic projects during medical school and during his  Orthopaedic Surgery residency in Little Rock.  After seeing one of his patients experiencing treatment for a deep periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) Dr Harp turned his engineering and research experience toward the topic of airborne microbial contamination in the operating room.  Dr Harp started his independent study of this topic with the mentorship of Dr William Whyte, an international expert on the topic and a coauthor of the pivotal Medical Research Council (MRC) study in 1982.  Dr Harp’s focus has been the introduction of well-known industrial cleanroom techniques into the operating room with the goal of improving patient safety through reduction of PJI risk after total hip and knee replacements.   Dr Harp currently works at Baptist Health Orthopedic Clinic in Fort Smith Arkansas.   His practice focuses on adult reconstruction surgery.