A validation experiment: Utilizing ultraviolet light to disinfect high use nursing equipment - 15/04/25
Résumé |
Background |
Some medical equipment travels across patient rooms. Nursing and environmental services staff may not always communicate cleaning responsibilities. The purpose of this study was to identify if a portable UV-C tent utilized with a UV-C device (Xenex LightStrike Robot) can effectively disinfect high use equipment.
Methods |
Health care equipment were pre-swabbed to determine colony forming units (CFUs). Following UV-C disinfection, a post swab was completed. Standard microbiology techniques were utilized to sample, plate, and count CFUs from these sampled items.
Results |
Samples (n=134) had a significant reduction in contamination (17.08 CFUs vs 0.45 CFUs, P<.05) following UV-C treatment. This near elimination of CFUs highlights the effectiveness of UV-C to disinfect high touch surfaces.
Discussion |
More work is needed to determine optimal cleaning practices. At the same time, current cleaning practices are sometimes ineffective, additional steps such as UV-C can assist in ensuring adequate disinfection of equipment.
Conclusions |
It is important that nurses take steps to break the chain of infection while providing patient care. Policies regarding infection control need to address high touch items and include methods such as the UV-C tent utilized in this study to ensure these items are disinfected reducing the risk of health care associated infections.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Highlights |
• | Health care system need redundant steps to minimize health care-associated infections. |
• | UV-C is a quick method to disinfect equipment that is difficult to clean with liquid-based cleaners. |
• | High use items are difficult to remain cleaned and disinfected. |
Key Words : Ultraviolet disinfection, Infection prevention and control, Hospital-acquired infections
Plan
| The views expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy of the Department of the Army, the Department of Defense or the US Government. |
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| Funding/support: This study was funded by the TriService Nursing Research Program. |
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| Conflicts of interest: None to report. |
Vol 53 - N° 5
P. 548-551 - mai 2025 Retour au numéro
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