The effectiveness of UV-C radiation for facility-wide environmental disinfection to reduce health care-acquired infections.
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Hollywood Community Hospital at Brotman Medical Center, Culver City, CA.
Nathanael A
NA
Napolitano
Department of Epidemiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA.
Tanmay
T
Mahapatra
UNC Project China, Division of Infectious Disease, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC. Electronic address: weimingtangscience@gmail.com.
Weiming
W
Tang
D002140:California; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D004783:Environmental Microbiology; D006761:Hospitals; D006797:Housekeeping, Hospital / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
Health care–acquired infection; Incidence proportion; Incidence rate; Reduction; UV-C radiation