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.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 12, 2015
Footnotes
Conflict of interest: N.A.N. reports that at the time of this writing, he is an employee of Hollywood Community Hospital at Brotman Medical Center (HCH/BMC). N.A.N. is not a shareholder, officer, or employee of Clean Sweep Group Inc. W.T. reports that he received funding from Clean Sweep Group Inc. W.T.'s sole responsibility is statistical analysis of epidemiology data from the HCH/BMC pilot study. He is not a shareholder, officer, or full-time employee of Clean Sweep Group Inc or HCH/BMC. The funding body played no role in study design, data collection (data were based on computer records), data analysis and interpretation, writing of the report, or the decision to submit the manuscript for publication. T.M. reports no conflicts of interest.
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Copyright
© 2015 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
