A validation experiment: Utilizing ultraviolet light to disinfect high use nursing equipment.

BACKGROUND

Some medical equipment travels across patient rooms. Nursing and environmental services staff may not always communicate cleaning responsibilities. The purpose of this study was to identify if a portable UV-C tent utilized with a UV-C device (Xenex LightStrike Robot) can effectively disinfect high use equipment.

METHODS

Health care equipment were pre-swabbed to determine colony forming units (CFUs). Following UV-C disinfection, a post swab was completed. Standard microbiology techniques were utilized to sample, plate, and count CFUs from these sampled items.

RESULTS

Samples (n=134) had a significant reduction in contamination (17.08 CFUs vs 0.45 CFUs, P<.05) following UV-C treatment. This near elimination of CFUs highlights the effectiveness of UV-C to disinfect high touch surfaces.

DISCUSSION: More work is needed to determine optimal cleaning practices. At the same time, current cleaning practices are sometimes ineffective, additional steps such as UV-C can assist in ensuring adequate disinfection of equipment.

CONCLUSIONS

It is important that nurses take steps to break the chain of infection while providing patient care. Policies regarding infection control need to address high touch items and include methods such as the UV-C tent utilized in this study to ensure these items are disinfected reducing the risk of health care associated infections.