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Ultraviolet-C Light Evaluation as Adjunct Disinfection to Remove Multidrug-Resistant Organisms

Authors :
Melanie S. Curless
Stephanie Cummings
Michael G. Anderson
Tracy Howard
Kathryn A. Carson
Karen C. Carroll
Yea-Jen Hsu
Clare Rock
Lisa L. Maragakis
Aaron M. Milstone
Source :
Clinical Infectious Diseases. 75:35-40
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
Oxford University Press (OUP), 2021.

Abstract

Background Our objective was to determine if the addition of ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light to daily and discharge patient room cleaning reduces healthcare-associated infection rates of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and Clostridioides difficile in immunocompromised adults. Methods We performed a cluster randomized crossover control trial in 4 cancer and 1 solid organ transplant in-patient units at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland. For study year 1, each unit was randomized to intervention of UV-C light plus standard environmental cleaning or control of standard environmental cleaning, followed by a 5-week washout period. In study year 2, units switched assignments. The outcomes were healthcare-associated rates of VRE or C. difficile. Statistical inference used a two-stage approach recommended for cluster-randomized trials with Results In total, 302 new VRE infections were observed during 45787 at risk patient-days. The incidence in control and intervention groups was 6.68 and 6.52 per 1000 patient-days respectively; the unadjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) was 0.98 (95% confidence interval [CI], .78 − 1.22; P = .54). There were 84 new C. difficile infections observed during 26118 at risk patient-days. The incidence in control and intervention periods was 2.64 and 3.78 per 1000 patient-days respectively; the unadjusted IRR was 1.43 (95% CI, .93 − 2.21; P = .98). Conclusions When used daily and at post discharge in addition to standard environmental cleaning, UV-C disinfection did not reduce VRE or C. difficile infection rates in cancer and solid organ transplant units.

Details

ISSN :
15376591 and 10584838
Volume :
75
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Clinical Infectious Diseases
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....98aad434fb97484cb28cd936c5586125