Efficacy of a Filtered Far-UVC Handheld Disinfection Device on Reducing Microbial Bioburden of Hospital Surfaces

Abstract

Objectives The Filtered Far UVC handheld disinfection device is a small portable device that emits far UVC at 222nm. The objective of this study was to evaluate the devices ability to kill microbial bioburden on hospital surfaces and compare it to manual cleaning using germicidal sodium hypochlorite wipes. Methods A total of 344 surfaces (86 observations per group) were sampled with 2 pairs of samples per surface a pre and a post sodium hypochlorite sample, and a pre and a post FFUV sample. The results were analyzed via a Bayesian multi level model that account for the correlation between sample pairs and within surfaces. Additionally, the bacterial flora recovered was identified. Results The estimated mean colony counts for the sodium hypochlorite control and treatment groups were 20.5 (11.7 to 36.0) and 0.1 (0.0 to 0.2) colony forming units (CFUs) respectively. The FFUV control and treatment groups had mean colony counts of 22.2 (12.5 to 40.1) and 4.1 (2.3 to 7.2) CFUs. The sodium hypochlorite samples had an estimated 99.4% (99.0% to 99.7%) reduction in colony counts, while those from the FFUV group an estimated 81.4% (76.2% to 85.7%) reduction. Conclusions The findings from this study suggest the FFUV handheld device effectively reduced microbial bioburden on real world hospital surfaces; however, a manual clean using sodium hypochlorite was more effective in reducing bioburden. Several healthcare associated infections causing pathogens (gram positive and negative bacteria) were retrieved from the surfaces indicating a potential for onward transmission.

Assessment of microbial bioburden on portable medical equipment in a hospital setting

“… 2 In a recent separate study, we have reported the presence of MRSA on WOWs. 17 Another limitation is that any species identification for the aerobic bacterial colonies (ABCs) to determine recovery of commensals, multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs) or other HAI-causing pathogens on PME was not performed for this study. Earlier cluster (c)-RCTs (5 out of 14) conducted on reducing MDROs and or HAIs, in a hospital environment indicated that either interventions such as use of cleaning and disinfecting agents (UV, copper, and bleach) or educational programs may be effective.…”

Assessing the safety of new germicidalfar‐UVCtechnologies

“…Under the new ACGIH guidelines, far-UVC represents a highly promising technology with the potential to significantly reduce indoor transmission of airborne 19 and even surface-borne pathogens. 20 Unlike complementary solutions such as air filtration and upper-room GUV, which clean the air only after it circulates and may fail to prevent the spread of infectious particles between individuals in close contact, far-UVC systems continuously disinfect the air throughout the room even while occupied. This suggests far-UVC may be able to rapidly neutralize pathogen-laden aerosols within the immediate breathing zones of occupants.…”

Using a handheldUVdevice for disinfection in the patient care environment: A descriptive qualitative study

“…This evaluation was done to inform prototype development prior to any commercial use. Results of the surface disinfection efficacy are beyond the scope of this qualitative inquiry and are reported elsewhere (Navarathna et al, 2022).…”