Effectiveness of automated ultraviolet-C light for decontamination of textiles inoculated with Enterococcus faecium. Issue 1 (January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Smolle, C.; Huss, F.; Lindblad, M.; Reischies, F.; Tano, E.
• Is Part Of: Journal of hospital infection. Volume 98:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 102
• Page End: 104
• Publication Date: 2018-01
• Subjects: UV-C decontamination -- Healthcare textile -- Efficacy -- Enterococcus faecium; Cross infection -- Periodicals; Cross infection -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Nosocomial infections -- Periodicals; Nosocomial infections -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- prevention & control -- Periodicals; Infection Control -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.44
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2017.07.034
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0195-6701

Abstract

Summary: Healthcare textiles are increasingly recognized as potential vehicles for transmission of hospital-acquired infections. This study tested the ability of an automated ultraviolet-C (UV-C) room disinfection device (Tru-D Smart UV-C) to decontaminate textiles inoculated with Enterococcus faecium in a clinical setting. Contaminated polycotton (50/50 polyester/cotton) swatches were distributed to predefined locations in a ward room and exposed to UV-C light. UV-C decontamination reduced E. faecium counts by a mean log10 reduction factor of 1.37 (all P = 0.005, Wilcoxon signed rank test). UV-C decontamination may be a feasible adjunctive measure to conventional laundering to preserve the cleanliness of healthcare textiles in ward rooms.