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

Background: Healthcare staff utilize equipment that can travel from patient room to patient room. Additionally, nursing and environmental services staff may not always communicate clearly regarding cleaning. 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: Healthcare 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<0.05) 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 the optimal cleaning practices of these items to prevent healthcare associated infections. At the same time, research suggests that the current cleaning practices are ineffective and change is needed to improve patient outcomes.

Conclusions: It is important that nurses take steps to break the chain of infection while providing patient care. Policies regarding infection control need to focus on these 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 healthcare associated infections.