Beyond duodenoscope-transmitted infections: Analysis of surface bioburden and UV-C mitigation within a tertiary care endoscopy unit

• Published in: American journal of infection control Vol. 52; no. 3; pp. 331 - 336
• Main Authors: Barakat, Monique T., Banerjee, Subhas, Lee, Linda, Angelotti, Timothy
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.03.2024
• Subjects: Bacteria; Cross Infection - microbiology; Cross Infection - prevention & control; Disease transmission; Disinfection - methods; Duodenoscopes; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; Health care-associated infections; Hospitals; Humans; Infection control; Infectious; Tertiary Healthcare; Ultraviolet Rays; Disease transmission; Infectious; Health care-associated infections; Infection control
• ISSN: 0196-6553; 1527-3296; 1527-3296
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2023.09.016

An inpatient endoscopy unit is a care hub for patients from throughout the hospital and can be the site of health care-associated infections (HAIs). Shared surfaces and other nonmedical devices (keyboards) have been increasingly recognized as sites of pathogen transmission. Beyond standard cleaning of high-touch target areas, we queried whether the addition of automated devices delivering low-intensity doses of ultraviolet (UV)-C radiation could further reduce bioburden in an academic endoscopy unit. Bioburden on previously identified high-touch/communal surfaces was measured before and after the installation of automated, low-intensity UV-light emitting devices (UV Angel) that passively monitor and disinfect targeted surfaces with Ultraviolet-C light (UV-C) light. High-touch sites (keyboards) had a baseline bacterial contamination of >80%, whereas individual procedure rooms and common areas had a >57% contamination rate. Following the implementation of automated UV-C light decontamination, bioburden was reduced on average by >91% at high-touch surfaces and within procedure rooms. Nonsterile hubs of patient care could serve as sites of “silent” HAI transmission. We have identified high-touch surfaces within an endoscopy unit that have a high bioburden of bacterial contamination and demonstrated that the installation of passive, automated UV-C light disinfection devices can reduce bioburden significantly, possibly mitigating HAI transmission between patients. •Shared surfaces and nonmedical devices can be sites of pathogen transmission.•Targeted ultraviolet (UV)-C radiation was studied to reduce such bioburden in an endoscopy unit.•Implementation of automated UV-C light decontamination reduced bioburden by >91%.•Passive, automated UV-C disinfection devices may mitigate pathogen transmission.