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

• 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
• ISSN: 0196-6553; 1527-3296
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2018.01.014

•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.