Infections acquired in the healthcare sector is an established challenge all over the world. Constant improvement of the disinfection processes is essential to save patients from unnecessary suffering while also saving money and human resources.
Seven percent of all hospitalized patients in developed countries will acquire a hospital infection[1]. This number varies between locations but the overall aim when securing an efficient disinfection process is the same: to reduce the rate of infection while remaining focused on the preservation of resources and limiting the impact on the environment.
UVC-light efficient and environmentally friendly Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) is a disinfection method that uses short-wavelength ultraviolet light (UVC) to
eliminate or deactivate microorganisms by destroying nucleic acids and disrupting heir DNA/RNA. It is a disinfection method which has been used since the middle of the last century in medical sanitation and sterile work facilities. This method is chemical-free and has no adverse impact on the surrounding environment – an aspect of increasing importance to our goal of fostering a more eco-friendly world.
Prevent spread of bacteria from the washbasins
The water-trap is one of the most contaminated areas in the healthcare environment. Many studies have reported that hospital outbreaks of various infections are the result of cross-contamination between patients and water fittings. When using UVC-light to decontaminate the water-trap it is possible to reduce the number of CFUs significantly.
The Danish company Dolphin Care has developed the UVC Water Trap Disinfector. It is a unique water-trap equipped with a UVC lamp which provides consistent germicidal irradiation, thereby reducing the spread of multi-resistant water bacteria from the wash- basins to immunocompromised patients.
The Danish UVC Water Trap Disinfector has been tested in laboratory and clinical environments by Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, which has documented a reduction of germ count 3-6 log 10.
The conclusion of the tests is that “UVC in drains may be beneficial in departments
with immunocompromised patients to prevent spread of carbapenase-producing organisms.[2]”
The UVC Water Trap Disinfector from Dolphin Care is equipped with fittings that
meet local requirements and standards.
Fast turnover of patient wards
Using UVC as a disinfection method in patient wards not only eliminates the impact of disinfection on the environment but also facilitates a faster turnover, as the process itself is less time-consuming and there is no need to aerate the space after the disinfection process.
The UVC Room Disinfector developed by Dolphin Care is a standalone unit which can cover an area up to 100m2 and has a UVC irradiation dosage sufficient to reduce bacteria and spores from floor to ceiling in rooms with a height up to 220 cm.
The UVC lamp in the bottom of the unit secures total floor-irradiation, and because the unit stands still while in use, no contaminating germs will be stirred up in the process.
The product includes two UVC-satellites which can be used for disinfection of patient toilets, entrances, and other small areas.
The UVC Disinfector has been tested by Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital[3] and their conclusion is the Gram-negative bacteria is reduced 5 log10 after 15 minutes irradiation, and Gram- positive bacteria is reduced 4 log10 after 15 minutes, meaning effective disinfection can be obtained when MRSA or VRE are present even in rooms above 50m2.
References
- According to WHO
- Test report – Dolphin Care UVC Water Trap Disinfector, December 2018. By MD Leif
Percival Andersen, Specialist in Microbiology and Head of The Laboratorie of Hygiene Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark - Test-report Dolphin Care Chemical-free UVC Room Disinfector, December 2018. By
MD Leif Percival Andersen, Specialist in Microbiology and Head of The Laboratorie of Hygiene Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
