Continuous surface and air decontamination technologies: Current concepts and controversies

Evaluation of a far ultraviolet-C device for decontamination of portable equipment in clinical areas

Contaminated portable equipment may contribute to transmission of health care-associated pathogens. We demonstrated that a wall-mounted far ultraviolet-C light technology that delivers far ultraviolet-C only when people are not present was effective in reducing contamination on in-use patient transport chairs and physical therapy equipment in equipment rooms. The technology could potentially be used as an adjunctive measure for decontamination of portable equipment in clinical areas.

A novel approach for safe and automated implementation of far ultraviolet-C light decontamination in clinical areas

A novel wall-mounted far ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light technology providing automated delivery of far UV-C only when people are not present reduced methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a patient room and equipment room. The safety feature that discontinues far UV-C output when people are detected was effective in preventing far UV-C exposure.

Evaluation of a wall-mounted far ultraviolet-C light device used for continuous air and surface decontamination in a dental office during routine patient care

A wall-mounted far ultraviolet-C light device used for continuous air and surface decontamination in a dental office reduced aerosolized bacteriophage MS2 and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus on steel disks by >3 log10 in 2 hours in unshaded areas in a procedure room. Far ultraviolet-C delivery was substantially reduced in shaded areas.

Evaluation of an Automated Wall-mounted Far Ultraviolet-C Light Technology for Continuous or Intermittent Decontamination of Candida auris on Surfaces

Background

Technologies that provides safe and effective decontamination of surfaces and equipment between episodes of manual cleaning could be an important advance in efforts to prevent transmission of the emerging fungal pathogen Candida auris.

Methods

We tested the efficacy of a novel wall-mounted far ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light technology that delivers far UV-C, when people are not detected within the field of illumination, against C. auris isolates from clades I, II, III, and IV using a quantitative disk carrier test method. In an equipment room, we examined the efficacy of the technology in reducing an isolate of C. auris from clade IV inoculated on multiple sites on portable devices.

Results

The far UV-C technology reduced isolates from all 4 clades of C. auris by >3 log10 colony-forming units (CFU) aſter an 8-hour exposure on steel disks. For the clade IV isolate, similar reductions were achieved on glass and plastic carriers. In the equipment room, the technology reduced C. auris inoculated on multiple sites on portable equipment by >2 log10 CFU in 4 hours.

Conclusions

The far UV-C technology could be useful for decontamination of surfaces and equipment between episodes of manual cleaning. Additional studies are needed to evaluate the use of the technology in clinical settings.