5 0 S U P P L E M E N T T O O U T P A T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E A P R I L 2 0 1 6
While research backing up their efficacy is thinner than that of hydrogen per-
oxide systems, UV units do seem to be effective at disinfecting surfaces. Larry
Nation, director of environmental services at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester,
Minn., notes that the clinic recently began using the robots in patient rooms.
During a 6-month pilot study looking at the use of the machines versus standard
cleaning in inpatient rooms, the clinic saw a 30% decrease in C. diff. infections,
says Mr. Nation.
There are other added perks, including online portals that show you when and
how the machine was used and newer robots with shortened cycle times. But
the technology does come with some drawbacks. The light is emitted in a
straight line, so surfaces hidden in shadows can be missed, or the units can
Before investing in a whole-room disinfection system, make
sure you closely consider the following factors.
• Efficacy. All of the units kill organisms at different
rates, says Trish Perl, MD, MSc, infectious disease specialist
at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md. Ask for studies
proving manufacturers' claims about microbes killed during
cycles.
• Time. Julie Tonsager, OR team leader at the St. Cloud
Understanding Your Options
• SPOT ON Whole-room disinfection systems back up the
efforts of your turnaround team.
BUYING TIPS
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN
(Minn.) Surgical Center, says her UV system's cycles are 4 to 8 minutes long, while other systems they considered had
cycles of 20 minutes or longer. Hydrogen peroxide units can take more than an hour to complete a cycle, says Dr. Perl.
• Use of mercury. You may want to consider whether mercury is used in an ultraviolet light system's bulbs, says
Larry Nation, director of environmental services at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. His facility went with mercury-
free units to reduce cleanup concerns if a bulb breaks.
• Cost. The machines aren't cheap, says Barbara Pennypacker, RN, BSN, vice president of surgical services at the
Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, Pa. She notes that her hospital spent roughly $345,000 on 3 UV robots. "Once
you do choose one and start using it, you want to ensure you're using it as much as possible," adds Mr. Nation. "The
more you use it, the more return on the investment you get." — Kendal Gapinski
