Technology Aids in HAI Prevention

UV Light and Air/Room Sterilization

The germicidal properties of ultraviolet light are of renewed interest to clinicians wanting to employ technology in the fight against healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs). Essentially, ultraviolet light kills bacteria and viruses by damaging their nucleic acid, thus destroying their ability to replicate and cause disease. UVC light lends itself to numerous applications in the healthcare environment. It can be employed via fixtures for coil irradiation in HVAC systems; UVC air cleaners can be used for air-stream irradiation; fixed, portable and handheld UVC-emitting devices can be used for surface sterilization; and a combination of UVC air and surface sterilization devices can be used in operating rooms and other high-risk areas in the hospital. Air and surface sterilization using UVC light is differentiated by the amount of time during which microorganisms are exposed to UVC radiation. Surface contamination is fixed in nature, so less UVC intensity is required; however, because pathogens move much more swiftly in air streams, a much greater concentration of UVC light is required for microbial kill. Efficacious sterilization by UVC light is determined by light intensity, duration of exposure, and distance of the UVC light from the surface or the air stream. There are a number of devices in the marketplace currently that harness and use UVC light as a weapon of pathogen destruction. Steril-Aire Inc. offers a full line of UVC Emitters that are used in hospitals worldwide for infection and indoor air quality control. Lumalier Corporation’s In-Duct UVGI air disinfection is designed to reduce viral and bacterial contaminate of passing air in HVAC systems to a 3-log level of disinfection. Bioscide's TRU-D rapid room sterilization system uses a real-time calibration system to adjust the dosage time to the dynamics of a room. Germgard Lighting LLC offers a shoebox-sized sanitation device for the gloved hand, based on the company’s proprietary UV-C light technology that removes pathogens after 3 seconds of exposure. The Sterilray Sanitation Wand from Healthy Environment Innovations, Inc. is a shielded UV-emitting device that can be used on high-touch items in the healthcare environment such as computer keyboards. UVDI, under its ALTRU-V brand, provides a full line-up of UV-C products for the commercial HVACR market and specializes in the application of UV technology for the treatment of surfaces, air and water.

 Air/room sterilization is starting to mature in the marketplace, although many clinicians are still unfamiliar with this high-tech approach to HAI prevention. There are several technology options available currently. STERIS Corporation offers advanced room sterilization with the VaproSure Sterilizer, featuring Vaprox® Sterilant, when used as part of a room’s terminal cleaning program. The VaproSure Sterilizer is a low-temperature dry vapor designed to destroy a full spectrum of biological contaminants, including spores, bacteria, viruses and fungi, leaving no residue and no lingering odor. The PlasmairT2006 with HEPA-MD technology from AirInSpace is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared mobile air decontamination unit which multi-year clinical study data suggests can contribute to reducing the incidence of airborne aspergillosis infection. The AirInSpace technology is designed to demonstrate up to 99.999 percent single-pass inactivation of airborne microorganisms. Xenex Technologies, Inc. offers two portable xenon pulse UV sterilization devices that produce brief pulse of intense UV light that penetrates the cell walls of viruses, bacterium, fungi and mold to fuse the strands of DNA (creating thymine dimers), resulting in cell death. The devices are portable, can be operated by one person with minimal training and can sterilize the air and visible surfaces in a room in minutes. These devices are able to kill bacterial spores at a distance of 2 meters from the lamp in 8 minutes without the use of any chemicals. Advanced Vapor Technologies’ TANCS steam vapor disinfection system is designed to disinfect surfaces colonized by the Acinetobacter baumannii, which can cause a variety of diseases, ranging from pneumonia to serious blood or wound infections.

 References:

Reiner J and Sullivan M. RFID in Healthcare. UPS Supply Chain Solutions white paper. 2005. Accessed at: http://www.ups-scs.com/solutions/white_papers/wp_RFID_in_healthcare.pdf

van der Togt R, van Lieshout EJ, Hensbroek R, Beinat E, Binnekade and Bakker PJM. Electromagnetic interference from radio frequency identification inducing potentially hazardous incidents in critical care medical equipment. JAMA. 2008;299(24):2884-2890.

Carling P, Briggs J, Hylander D and Perkins J. An evaluation of patient area cleaning in 3 hospitals using a novel targeting methodology. Am J Infect Control. 2006 Oct;34(8):513-9.

Pyrek K. Air/room sterilization is the newest way to eliminate contaminants. Infection Control Today. October 2008. Accessible at: http://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/articles/eliminate-air-contaminants.html

Pyrek K. UV light's germicidal properties aid in fight against HAIs. Infection Control Today. November 2008. Accessible at: http://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/articles/399/uv-light-germicidal-properties.html