Still in the Dark: How Well Does UV-C Light Disinfection Work?

In an academic hospital already using enhanced technologies, UV-C light disinfection did not further lower acquisition of vancomycin-resistant enterococci or Clostridioides difficile.

Recognition that the inpatient environment is often contaminated with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) has led hospitals to pursue enhanced environmental disinfection despite limited information on its clinical efficacy. One such approach now in wide use involves equipment that emits ultraviolet C (UV-C) light, which has been shown to reduce environmental contamination with pathogens including vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and Clostridioides difficile (NEJM JW Infect Dis Apr 2017 and Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017; 38:39). Now, investigators at a U.S. academic medical facility have assessed the clinical impact of UV-C light on VRE and C. difficile acquisition in a randomized crossover trial involving 5 inpatient units (4 o…

Reviewing Author

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

Disclosures

Consult/Advisory BoardAcurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC;

Grant/Research SupportDoctors Company Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

Disclosures

Consult/Advisory BoardAcurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC;

Grant/Research SupportDoctors Company Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Still in the Dark: How Well Does UV-C Light Disinfection Work?

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Reviewing Author