Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/981659
30 Executive Briefing How UV-C technology works Before hospitals add UV-C technology to their cleaning routines, there are several components to understand about how UV-C machines work. To combat HAIs, healthcare staff can implement what Rick Dayton, Chief Architect of Diversey, calls the "1-2 Punch." "The 1-2 Punch is the combination of the right chemical and manual cleaning solutions and the addition of a robust UV-C technology that can really help to fight HAIs. And, of course, the 1-2 Punch is best delivered by a well-trained EVS staff," Dayton says. UV-C technology works by UV-C energy penetrating through the cell walls of bacteria, viruses and bacterial spores and into the DNA strand to ultimately disrupt the cell's ability to replicate. After exposure to UV-C energy, the pathogen is unable to replicate itself. "It's an environmentally friendly, effective and non-chemical approach to preventing infection," Dayton says. To properly apply the UV-C portion of the "1-2 Punch", hospital staff must understand the two primary factors that make or break the application of UV energy: the angle at which UV is applied and the distance between the object being disinfected and the UV source. To properly address these key criteria, Diversey's MoonBeam™3 UV-C disinfection device has three individual UV lamps on adjustable arms. These arms can be positioned at nearly any angle to target UV-C light, and users can position the heads of the device to optimize UV-C dosing. Finding a system that is fast and simple to operate helps enable consistent usage of the system, and the Diversey technology provides fast cycle times, typically three to ten minutes, and a simple operating system that can be used by almost any staff member. Dayton frequently demonstrates the physics supporting why it is important to apply UV energy at the correct angle. "With UV energy, when you're applying light directly onto the surface, that's when you maximize the amount of energy applied to that surface, enabling faster kill of pathogens." One way to set up UV-C devices in a patient room is to have two devices — one on either side of the patient's bed. If UV-C is being used in the OR, the device can be placed at the foot of the operating table. "You want to have the ability to directly impact the surfaces with direct light for the fastest cycle and greatest efficacy," Dayton says. 1. It is also critical to get the energy as close to the surface as possible, Dayton says. "The bulb output may be constant, but the farther away you get, the lower the applied energy. The energy actually decreases by the square of the distance from the bulb. It is not a linear relationship for electromagnetic energy." 10 questions hospital executives should consider when choosing UV-C technology Given that no two healthcare settings operate in exactly the same way, from number of employees and patients to discharge times and room organization, hospitals can assess the different aspects of UV-C technology to ensure it is a good fit for their facility. Here are 10 questions to consider when choosing UV-C technology. 1. Will the turnover time associated with using UV-C fit the facility's peak needs so patients do not have to wait a long time for rooms to be cleaned? 2. How many patients are discharged each day at the facility? 3. Where will UV-C machines be used? For example, will they be used in the operating room or areas that are constantly occupied, such as the intensive care unit? 4. How many machines should our facility purchase? 5. Where are the machines most needed in the hospital? 6. What does the cycle of completion, maintenance and audit look like for the machines? 7. Does the organization need to increase staffing to operate UV-C technology? 8. What types of education and training does staff need? 9. When is the best time to optimize UV-C disinfection? For example, should it be used after discharges during the day or in procedure rooms and operating rooms at night? 10. How will the machines affect workflow in the system? 8 tips for effectively operating UV-C devices After understanding how UV-C devices fight HAIs and considering how this technology can fit in to a given healthcare setting, hospital staff may need to address several challenges when operating the devices. Here are eight tips for effectively getting the most from your UV-C devices. 1. When considering the importance of having a short distance between the UV source and the object as well as the correct angle, EVS staff should be well aware of the areas of greatest importance — the high frequency of touch surfaces (as defined by the CDC). This allows the greatest intensity of UV exposure to be applied in the shortest amount of time, Dayton says. 2. Ensure the availability of technology as close to the point of need as possible. Significant time can be wasted porting the devices from one end of the hospital to the other. The reality is that if a UV device is not used because of logistic challenges, the benefit won't be realized. 3. To ensure cleaning schedules are consistent, create a spreadsheet listing who cleans what — e.g., who is responsible for cleaning the different pieces of equipment. This is often not established clearly. 4. To know what works for a given setting, hospitals can work with the UV-C machine manufacturer to evaluate the hospital's traditional workflow practice. In this way, hospitals can better identify how different types of rooms can incorporate UV disinfection. 5. Most manufacturers of UV devices have tested disinfecting results. Hospital staff can read these manufacturers' white papers to compare quality and determine the efficacy of each machine's ability to reduce pathogens. There is currently no standardized testing methodology for UV technology, so white papers need to be scrutinized for where the test organisms were placed in relation to the bulbs of the machine being used. Distance from surfaces and angle of incidence are two of the most important factors influencing UV-C efficacy, 6. To measure how the device is reducing the formation of bacterial colonies, hospital staff can complete a swab and culture test before and after EVS staff manually disinfect a room, and then complete the same test after applying UV. Staff can analyze changes between these results. 7. UV is a surface-only technology and is not an effective solution for soft surfaces, such as curtains. These surfaces still require a separate disinfection process. 8. Hospital staff should monitor the life cycle of their UV light bulbs. The machine may or may not provide a warning when the bulb has been utilized for a long time and is approaching the end of the effective life of the bulb. Some systems operate even with burned out bulbs providing an ineffective disinfection cycle. Conclusion In the battle against HAIs, UV-C technology can help hospitals increase the strength of their cleaning system, promote safety and satisfaction for patients and curb the financial burden of lengthy patient stays. "No one is perfect. We can train our staff to go in and do the best possible manual clean, but there are a lot of areas that may be missed, and bacteria that could be left behind," Gauthier says. "There are a lot of surfaces within a healthcare setting where an adjunct technology can help dot that last 'i' in 'disinfection' in terms of taking care of organisms that could make patients sick." For more information on Diversey's MoonBeam™3 UVC disinfection device, visit www.sdfhc.com. n Diversey Solutions Designed For Healthcare(TM) is a programmatic approach to cleaning and hygienesolutions. Our vision is to continually create a safer and more satisfying environment of care.Solutions that are fast, effective, responsible and sustainable.