Nathanael A Napolitano1, Tanmay Mahapatra2, Weiming Tang3. 1. Hollywood Community Hospital at Brotman Medical Center, Culver City, CA. 2. Department of Epidemiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA. 3. UNC Project China, Division of Infectious Disease, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC. Electronic address: weimingtangscience@gmail.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Health care-acquired infections (HAIs) constitute an increasing threat for patients worldwide. Potential contributors of HAIs include environmental surfaces in health care settings, where ultraviolet-C radiation (UV-C) is commonly used for disinfection. This UV-C intervention-based pilot study was conducted in a hospital setting to identify any change in the incidence of HAIs before and after UV-C intervention, and to determine the effectiveness of UV-C in reducing pathogens. METHODS: In a hospital in Culver City, CA, during 2012-2013, bactericidal doses of UV-C radiation (254 nm) were delivered through a UV-C-based mobile environmental decontamination unit. The UV-C dosing technology and expertise of the specifically trained personnel were provided together as a dedicated service model by a contracted company. The incidence of HAIs before and after the intervention period were determined and compared. RESULTS: The dedicated service model dramatically reduced HAIs (incidence difference, 1.3/1000 patient-days, a 34.2% reduction). Reductions in the total number and incidence proportions (28.8%) of HAIs were observed after increasing and maintaining the coverage of UV-C treatments. CONCLUSION: The dedicated service model was found to be effective in decreasing the incidence of HAIs, which could reduce disease morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. This model provides a continuously monitored and frequently UV-C-treated patient environment. This approach to UV-C disinfection was associated with a decreased incidence of HAIs.
BACKGROUND: Health care-acquired infections (HAIs) constitute an increasing threat for patients worldwide. Potential contributors of HAIs include environmental surfaces in health care settings, where ultraviolet-C radiation (UV-C) is commonly used for disinfection. This UV-C intervention-based pilot study was conducted in a hospital setting to identify any change in the incidence of HAIs before and after UV-C intervention, and to determine the effectiveness of UV-C in reducing pathogens. METHODS: In a hospital in Culver City, CA, during 2012-2013, bactericidal doses of UV-C radiation (254 nm) were delivered through a UV-C-based mobile environmental decontamination unit. The UV-C dosing technology and expertise of the specifically trained personnel were provided together as a dedicated service model by a contracted company. The incidence of HAIs before and after the intervention period were determined and compared. RESULTS: The dedicated service model dramatically reduced HAIs (incidence difference, 1.3/1000 patient-days, a 34.2% reduction). Reductions in the total number and incidence proportions (28.8%) of HAIs were observed after increasing and maintaining the coverage of UV-C treatments. CONCLUSION: The dedicated service model was found to be effective in decreasing the incidence of HAIs, which could reduce disease morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. This model provides a continuously monitored and frequently UV-C-treated patient environment. This approach to UV-C disinfection was associated with a decreased incidence of HAIs.
Authors: F Chiappa; B Frascella; G P Vigezzi; M Moro; L Diamanti; L Gentile; P Lago; N Clementi; C Signorelli; N Mancini; A Odone Journal: J Hosp Infect Date: 2021-05-21 Impact factor: 3.926
Authors: B Dréno; E Araviiskaia; E Berardesca; G Gontijo; M Sanchez Viera; L F Xiang; R Martin; T Bieber Journal: J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol Date: 2016-10-13 Impact factor: 6.166