Disinfection in addition to traditional cleaning methods is the best way to help ensure a cleaner, safer environment. While manual cleaning is the predominant method, research has shown that as many as 50% of surfaces remain contaminated with pathogens, including MRSA, despite regular manual cleaning efforts1. Ultraviolet-C (UVC) disinfection is one type of no-touch technology shown to be a successful adjunct to manual cleaning in reducing environmental bioburden2.
What is UVC Disinfection?
According to the FDA, UVC radiation is a known disinfectant for air and nonporous surfaces. UVC technology deploys UV light to penetrate the cell walls of spores, bacteria and viruses, and renders these harmful pathogens unable to reproduce and spread after treatment with UVC energy. UVC radiation has effectively been used for decades to reduce the spread of bacteria and harmful pathogens. When bundled with manual cleaning and disinfection protocols, the technology significantly reduces patient exposure to HAIs.
Choosing the Right UVC System
UVC radiation can only inactivate a virus if the virus is directly exposed to the radiation. If a surface is under a shadow, it won’t be disinfected. Some UVC systems don’t administer the proper dose to effectively eradicate a virus and often miss areas that may contain dangerous pathogens. The right UVC system should accurately measure the delivered UVC dose and include patented, remote UVC sensors and a “pause and reposition” feature that ensure that targeted areas of the room have received the optimal dosage needed to kill harmful pathogens. These product features help to address variables such as room shape and other obstacles that might prevent areas from being disinfected.
In addition to measuring the delivered UVC doses, other important functions of UVC light technology include: tracking treatment data, monitoring effectiveness, and sharing critical data with necessary stakeholders. The best UVC solutions help staff quickly and efficiently disinfect crucial treatment areas, thereby improving room turnover times and quickly returning rooms to service.
Contact us to learn more about using UVC disinfection to kill viruses & germs.