Efficacy of an ultraviolet-A lighting system for continuous decontamination of health care–associated pathogens on surfaces

• Published in: American journal of infection control Vol. 48; no. 3; pp. 337 - 339
• Main Authors: Livingston, Scott H., Cadnum, Jennifer L., Benner, Kevin J., Donskey, Curtis J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.03.2020
• Subjects: Cross Infection - prevention & control; Decontamination - methods; Delivery of Health Care - methods; Disinfection - methods; Environment; Equipment and Supplies, Hospital - microbiology; Health Facilities; Humans; Lighting - methods; Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Stethoscope; Ultraviolet Rays; Ultraviolet-A light; Ultraviolet-A light; Environment; Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Stethoscope
• ISSN: 0196-6553; 1527-3296
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2019.08.003

•Ultraviolet-A (UV-A) light has antimicrobial activity, and low doses may be safe.•We tested a commercial UV-A light fixture intended for use in health care settings.•The UV-A device reduced bacteria and viruses, but not spores, on steel carriers.•UV-A exposure from a ceiling light fixture reduced pathogens on medical equipment.•UV-A could provide continuous low-level decontamination of surfaces in health care. We found that ultraviolet-A (UV-A) light exposure resulted in a modest reduction in recovery of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Candida auris, bacteriophage MS2, and bacteriophage Phi X174, but not Clostridioides difficile spores, on steel disk carriers. Four hours of UV-A exposure from a ceiling light fixture resulted in a significant reduction in pathogenic microorganisms recovered from in-use medical equipment. These findings suggest that UV-A could be useful as a means to provide continuous low-level decontamination of surfaces in health care facilities.