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Implementation of an Environmental Cleaning Protocol in Hospital Critical Areas Using a UV-C Disinfection Robot

Author

Listed:
  • Beatrice Casini

    (Department of Translational Research and the New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy)

  • Benedetta Tuvo

    (Department of Translational Research and the New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy)

  • Michela Scarpaci

    (Department of Translational Research and the New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy)

  • Michele Totaro

    (Department of Translational Research and the New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy)

  • Federica Badalucco

    (Department of Translational Research and the New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy)

  • Silvia Briani

    (Hospital Management, University Hospital of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy)

  • Grazia Luchini

    (Hospital Management, University Hospital of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy)

  • Anna Laura Costa

    (Department of Translational Research and the New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy)

  • Angelo Baggiani

    (Department of Translational Research and the New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy)

Abstract

Improving the cleaning and disinfection of high-touch surfaces is one of the core components of reducing healthcare-associated infections. The effectiveness of an enhanced protocol applying UV-C irradiation for terminal room disinfection between two successive patients was evaluated. Twenty high-touch surfaces in different critical areas were sampled according to ISO 14698-1, both immediately pre- and post-cleaning and disinfection standard operating protocol (SOP) and after UV-C disinfection (160 sampling sites in each condition, 480 in total). Dosimeters were applied at the sites to assess the dose emitted. A total of 64.3% (103/160) of the sampling sites tested after SOP were positive, whereas only 17.5% (28/160) were positive after UV-C. According to the national hygienic standards for health-care setting, 9.3% (15/160) resulted in being non-compliant after SOP and only 1.2% (2/160) were non-compliant after UV-C disinfection. Operation theaters was the setting that resulted in being less compliant with the standard limit (≤15 colony-forming unit/24 cm 2 ) after SOP (12%, 14/120 sampling sites) and where the UV-C treatment showed the highest effectiveness (1.6%, 2/120). The addition of UV-C disinfection to the standard cleaning and disinfection procedure had effective results in reducing hygiene failures.

Suggested Citation

  • Beatrice Casini & Benedetta Tuvo & Michela Scarpaci & Michele Totaro & Federica Badalucco & Silvia Briani & Grazia Luchini & Anna Laura Costa & Angelo Baggiani, 2023. "Implementation of an Environmental Cleaning Protocol in Hospital Critical Areas Using a UV-C Disinfection Robot," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-10, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:5:p:4284-:d:1082911
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Beatrice Casini & Benedetta Tuvo & Maria Luisa Cristina & Anna Maria Spagnolo & Michele Totaro & Angelo Baggiani & Gaetano Pierpaolo Privitera, 2019. "Evaluation of an Ultraviolet C (UVC) Light-Emitting Device for Disinfection of High Touch Surfaces in Hospital Critical Areas," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-10, September.
    2. Toffolutti, Veronica & Reeves, Aaron & McKee, Martin & Stuckler, David, 2017. "Outsourcing cleaning services increases MRSA incidence: Evidence from 126 english acute trusts," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 174(C), pages 64-69.
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