The effect of ultraviolet-C technology on viral infection incidence in a pediatric long-term care facility

•This study represents the first demonstration of the effect of an ultraviolet-C (UV-C) disinfection device on viral infection rates.•UV-C technology implementation was associated with a 44% reduction in viral infection incidence rates among pediatric patients in a long-term care facility over a 12-...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of infection control 2018-06, Vol.46 (6), p.720-722
Main Authors: Pavia, Marianne, Simpser, Edwin, Becker, Melissa, Mainquist, W. Keith, Velez, Katherine A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cross Infection - epidemiology
Cross Infection - prevention & control
Disinfection
Disinfection - methods
Hospital-acquired infection
Hospitals, Pediatric
Housekeeping, Hospital
Humans
Incidence
Infant
Infection Control - methods
Long-term care
Long-Term Care - methods
Pediatrics
Ultraviolet
Ultraviolet Rays
Viral infection
Virus Diseases - epidemiology
Virus Diseases - prevention & control
Virus Diseases - transmission
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Summary:•This study represents the first demonstration of the effect of an ultraviolet-C (UV-C) disinfection device on viral infection rates.•UV-C technology implementation was associated with a 44% reduction in viral infection incidence rates among pediatric patients in a long-term care facility over a 12-month period.•The results suggest that UV-C technology is a potentially important component of eliminating the environment as a source of viral infections. Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) technology implementation was associated with a 44% reduction in viral infection incidence among pediatric patients in a long-term care facility (incidence rate ratio, 0.56; 95% confidence interval, 0.37-0.84; P=.003). UV-C was included as an adjunct to standard cleaning protocols over a 12-month period; no other new interventions were introduced during this time. The results suggest that UV-C technology is a potentially important component of eliminating the environment as a source of viral infections.
ISSN:0196-6553
1527-3296
DOI:10.1016/j.ajic.2018.01.014