Choosing the ideal UV disinfection device

AS the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology kicks off a new awareness campaign about health care-associated infections next week during International Infection Prevention Week, it's sure to rouse interest in the demand for preventive measures to rid hospitals of these dreaded and deadly Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). UV disinfection is among the measures leaders at top hospitals around the U.S. and Canada are considering when waging war on superbugs that threaten patients, physically and financially.

A recent report by MedERA, "Economic Burden of Healthcare-Associated Infections in U.S. Acute Care Hospitals – Societal Perspective" published in the Journal of Medical Economics online edition, estimates that HAIs may cost both hospitals and patients combined up to $147 billion annually. An earlier report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that HAIs cost hospitals alone up to $33.8 billion per year. The staggering financial impact of HAIs is forcing infection preventionists to address the cost burden for both hospitals and affected patients.

While UV disinfection technology isn't new, hospital executives are still trying to determine the best way to make an informed purchase. Armed with a list of top questions to consider, they can determine which device will help achieve necessary HAI reduction rates for their hospital or facility.

What to consider:

> Is there evidence-based data from independent clinical research and third-party/peer-reviewed studies confirming the effectiveness of the device?

> What hospitals are using this technology?

> Is the device able to precisely measure variables including UV-C reflective properties, dose delivery and bulb degradation over time?

> Does the disinfection cycle take place from a single location in the room or does it require movement to multiple places for complete terminal disinfection?

> Does the device disinfect all surfaces, including shadowed areas?

> How long has the device been on the market?

There isn't a large amount of research published on the many devices available in the marketplace, making the decision more challenging for some.

UV light disinfection technology

The first and only "smart" device, SmartUVC? from TRU-D, entered the market in 2007. More than 100 TRU-Ds have been deployed to disinfect hospitals across the U.S., Canada and Europe.

Due to TRU-D's first-to-market status and its patented, intuitive Sensor360? technology, it has been the device of choice for the vast majority of existing third-party research on UV disinfection in health care settings, including an ongoing $2-million study funded by the CDC's Epicenter Program taking place at Duke University and the University of North Carolina, among other hospitals.

For hospital leaders like Mario Soares, director of infection prevention and control at Houston Methodist Hospital, the addition of the TRU-D robot and its technology were in line with their commitment to patient safety.

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