Hospital Study Demonstrates Efficacy of Germicidal Ultraviolet Light
VIGILAIR Systems, a manufacturer of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) technology, was instrumental in a newly published hospital study that demonstrated a dramatic reduction in healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) with the application of VIGILAIR® air cleaning technology in a neonatal intensive care Unit (NICU).
The paper, 'Effect of enhanced ultraviolet germicidal irradiation in the heating ventilation and air conditioning system on ventilator associated pneumonia in a neonatal intensive care unit,' appears in the April 2011 online edition of Journal of Perinatology. The study was conducted by attending physicians in the NICU of Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo, a university-affiliated regional perinatal center. This work was supported in part by a grant from the NYSTAR Center for Advanced Technology in Biomedical and Bioengineering by the Department of Pediatrics SUNY at Buffalo.
Results demonstrated a reduction of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) by 50 percent in the most high-risk population; NICU surface contamination reduction greater than 99.99 percent; tracheal microbial colonization reduction by 45 percent; antibiotic usage reduction by 62 percent; and an estimated annual clinical savings of greater than $500,000.
The air purification equipment, referred to as Enhanced Ultra Violet Germicidal Irradiation (e-UVGI), also known as a Pathogen Control System (PCS), was supplied by VIGILAIR Systems.
"This is, to our knowledge, the first published study of its kind," says Peter Bjorkman, president of VIGILAIR Systems, Inc. "The results show clearly how important the HVAC system is as a contamination source in sensitive environments like hospitals. The findings in this study correspond well with other studies VIGILAIR has been involved in at other hospitals."
The company's PCS equipment is designed and manufactured for installation within existing hospital heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units. The PCS integrates standard UVGI emitters with MERV15 air filters in such a manner as to predictably destroy harmful viruses, bacteria and fungi at a pre-determined efficiency within a given HVAC's air-stream.
VIGILAIR Systems provides UVGI technology for HVAC surface and air disinfection, as well as sanitization systems for packaging material to the food and beverage industry.
The Department of Homeland Security has listed VIGILAIR's Biodefense (BD) System as Qualified Anti-terrorism Technology (QATT).
Streamlined IFU Access Boosts Infection Control and Staff Efficiency
June 17th 2025A hospital-wide quality improvement project has transformed how staff access critical manufacturer instructions for use (IFUs), improving infection prevention compliance and saving time through a standardized, user-friendly digital system supported by unit-based training and interdepartmental collaboration.
Spring Into Safety: How Seasonal Deep Cleaning Strengthens Hospital Infection Control
June 13th 2025Rooted in ancient rituals of renewal, spring-cleaning has evolved from cultural tradition to a vital infection prevention strategy in modern hospitals—one that blends seasonal deep cleaning with advanced disinfection to reduce pathogens, improve air quality, and protect patients.
AHE Exchange Summit 2025 Brings EVS and Infection Prevention Experts Together in Columbus, Ohio
June 9th 2025The Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE) is set to host its largest event of the year—Exchange Summit 2025—from June 8 to 11 in Columbus, Ohio. With over 600 environmental services (EVS) professionals expected to attend, this year’s conference focuses heavily on infection prevention, interdepartmental collaboration, and education that empowers frontline health care support leaders to improve patient safety and operational efficiency.
Far UV-C Light Shows Promise for Decontaminating Medical Equipment in Clinical Settings
June 4th 2025Manual cleaning gaps on shared hospital equipment can undermine infection control efforts. New research shows far UV-C light can serve as a safe, automated backup to reduce contamination in real-world clinical settings.
Unmasking Vaccine Myths: Dr Marschall Runge on Measles, Misinformation, and Public Health Solutions
May 29th 2025As measles cases climb across the US, discredited myths continue to undercut public trust in vaccines. In an exclusive interview with Infection Control Today, Michigan Medicine’s Marschall Runge, PhD, confronts misinformation head-on and explores how clinicians can counter it with science, empathy, and community engagement.
