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Did Skin Prep Fuel This Fire? - February 2017 - Subscribe to Outpatient Surgery Magazine

Outpatient Surgery Magazine, providing current information on Surgical Services, Surgical Facility Administration, Outpatient Surgery News and Trends, OR Excellence and more.

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Down the road, new technology may allow for disinfection to occur without having to seal or vacate rooms. A recent study (osmag.net/9wwzxm) found that a passive light-emitting diode (LED) disinfection system used in an environment that couldn't be closed off (a level II trauma room) significantly reduced microbial surface contamina- tion over time, even when room usage increased. The room was cultured 3 times in 5 different spots — before the system was installed, after 2 weeks, and again after 15 weeks. The impact was minimal after 2 weeks, but surface contamination was significantly reduced after 15 weeks. So while implementing an LED system wouldn't be expected to deliv- er dramatic results immediately, over time, it would likely be effective at reducing overall microbial contamination. In the meantime, manu- facturers are doing their best to make whole-room disinfection as quick and efficient as possible, and appear to be making progress. But terminal cleaning at the end of the day is likely to be the most practical application for most outpatient facilities. Pick your poison The active agents and delivery mechanisms in whole-room disinfection systems vary widely. Here's a rundown of the most common approaches. • UV light. UV-C light, the high-energy portion of the ultraviolet spec- trum, has been used for decades to disinfect industrial surfaces and sanitize drinking water. It is especially advantageous for use in hospitals because it kills the spore-forming bacterium Clostridium difficile, which is a major source of hospital-acquired infections. UV-C systems deliver specific doses of continuous ultraviolet light, which causes changes in the DNA and RNA structure of bacteria and spores, rendering them incapable of replicating. • Pulsed xenon. Broad-spectrum UV light is emitted in powerful short pulses, so disinfection is fast. The broad-spectrum UV light is capable of damaging microorganisms 4 different ways, virtually ensur- J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 7 • O U T PA T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T • 1 1 9

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