Researchers suggest that use of an automated UV-emitting device can effectively reduce the number of pathogens in patient rooms contaminated with MRSA, VRE, C. difficile and multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, according to the study's abstract.
The study was varied out in contaminated patient rooms in an acute-care tertiary hospital in North Carolina from Jan. 21 through Sept. 21, 2009. In the study, sheets contaminated with the aforementioned pathogens were placed in direct line of sight of the UV device and behind objects. Following timed exposure, specific sites of the patient rooms were sampled before and after UV irradiation to measure the presence of the pathogens.
Results showed UC radiation reduced the counts of the vegetative bacteria on surfaces by more than 99.9 percent within 15 minutes and C. difficile on surfaces by 99.8 percent within 50 minutes. UV radiation also resulted in a decrease in total CFUs over a 15-minute duration.
Read the abstract about UV lighting to reduce pathogens in patient rooms.
Read other coverage about infection prevention:
- Researchers Develop Method for Non-RFID Hang Hygiene Monitoring
- Forced-Air Warmers Can Emit Contaminated Air Particles, Study Suggests
- 7 Steps to Improve Infection Control Programs in ASCs
The study was varied out in contaminated patient rooms in an acute-care tertiary hospital in North Carolina from Jan. 21 through Sept. 21, 2009. In the study, sheets contaminated with the aforementioned pathogens were placed in direct line of sight of the UV device and behind objects. Following timed exposure, specific sites of the patient rooms were sampled before and after UV irradiation to measure the presence of the pathogens.
Results showed UC radiation reduced the counts of the vegetative bacteria on surfaces by more than 99.9 percent within 15 minutes and C. difficile on surfaces by 99.8 percent within 50 minutes. UV radiation also resulted in a decrease in total CFUs over a 15-minute duration.
Read the abstract about UV lighting to reduce pathogens in patient rooms.
Read other coverage about infection prevention:
- Researchers Develop Method for Non-RFID Hang Hygiene Monitoring
- Forced-Air Warmers Can Emit Contaminated Air Particles, Study Suggests
- 7 Steps to Improve Infection Control Programs in ASCs
