Study on the Application Effect of Pulsed Ultraviolet Disinfection Robot Without Manual Disinfection
2021-01-13 by hqt
Through the previous research articles, we found that the pulsed xenon lamp UV non-contact disinfection system has been widely used in hospitals. After the patient is discharged, it assists in manual cleaning and comprehensively disinfects the room. However, in the absence of manual disinfection, what about the disinfection and sterilization capabilities of the pulsed ultraviolet disinfection robot?
To this end, a professional research institute in the United States conducted research at a veterans health care hospital in Temple, Texas, to evaluate the effect of only using pulsed ultraviolet disinfection robots for disinfection.
1. Sample selection
This study used a comparative method to identify 38 recently vacated rooms (n=38). These rooms have not been manually disinfected and have been occupied by patients for at least 48 hours. The count of aerobic bacteria (ABC) on high-contact surfaces in hospitals indicates the level of microbial contamination and is used to evaluate the application effect of pulsed xenon lamps.
2. Sampling method
The researchers sampled five high-contact surfaces in each room before and after the pulsed ultraviolet disinfection equipment. These surfaces include 3 surfaces in the ward (namely call buttons, bed rails and tray tables) and 2 surfaces in the bathroom (namely handrails and toilet). In 38 rooms, a total of 190 samples were obtained.
A Tryptic Soy Agar 80 Rodac contact plate (Hardy Diagnostics, Santa Maria, Calif) supplemented with lecithin and polysorbate was used for surface sampling. If obvious stains are observed, use the platen technique to sample the adjacent area. For non-flat surfaces such as bed rails and handrails, the rolling plate method is used. After the baseline sample is collected, the room is disinfected with a pulsed ultraviolet disinfection robot, and the sample is collected again on the high-frequency surface before disinfection. Finally, incubate at 37°C for 48 hours. After incubation, count and record the colonies.
3. Data analysis
Before disinfection with pulsed ultraviolet equipment, the total average ABC count of 190 samples was 73.6 (95% CI, 63.8-83.4). Among them, the call button has the highest ABC count with an average of 88.5 (95% CI, 66.7-110.3), followed by bed rails with an average of 84.0 (95% CI, 61.6-106.4), and the tray table has the lowest average ABC count. It is 54.5 (95% CI, 34.5-74.5).
After disinfection with pulsed ultraviolet equipment, the ABC counts of all high-contact surfaces were significantly reduced, and the ABC count of the call button dropped by an average of 72.4 (median drop by 66.0; P<.01).
4. Experimental results
Before the disinfection of pulsed ultraviolet equipment, 187 (98.4%) surfaces were contaminated by aerobic bacteria; after disinfection, this proportion was reduced to 169 (88.9%), and all the bacteria on 18 surfaces were killed. The ABC level also dropped from 7410 colonies to 203.
5. Conclusion
The research results show that, without manual disinfection, the pulsed ultraviolet equipment disinfection effectively reduces the ABC count. These data are very important for hospitals that plan to use non-contact pulsed ultraviolet disinfection technology as an auxiliary means of conventional manual disinfection, and can reduce the burden on disinfection personnel, and better provide doctors and patients with a healthy, safe, and Clean environment.
