Ray of light kills superbugs

Published: 19-Jul-2013

Chemical-free air sterilisation used in science labs and military bases to be introduced in UK hospitals

A chemical-free way of sterilising air using only UVC light is being introduced to UK hospitals by Rapid Disinfection Services. Following the successful launch of the Tru-D room sterilisation system, RDS is making available a new range of eco-friendly ultraclean air systems to healthcare in Britain.

Already in use in science labs, hotels, military bases and even prisons, RDS Air Sterilisation Units utilise UVGI (UltraViolet Germicidal Irradiation) mutagenic technology, which has been widely used in a variety of environments internationally – from food-processing plants through to oil exploration medical centres and Military air force bases.

Research and development of UVGI - which uses concentrated rays to disable pathogens in the air – has included long-term testing in UK hospitals, at the UK Government bio-safety test centre in Porton Down and with the Pathogen Control Department at the University of Leeds.

Concentrated rays of UVC light within the units will purify the air, disabling 99.99% of pathogens including bacteria and viruses

'UVGI has been used successfully in myriad healthcare environments, all with one specific need: ultra clean air,' said Bill Passmore, Director of Operations at Rapid Disinfection Services. 'Not only could its adoption by UK hospitals save energy operating costs but also the billions of pounds spent on treating infections such as Norovirus, CRE, MRSA, tuberculosis, meningitis, influenza, VRE and C.diff among others.

'Simple to install and ideal for any size room occupied by healthy, immune-compromised or infected people, concentrated rays of UVC light within the units will purify the air, disabling 99.99% of pathogens including bacteria and viruses.'

Each RDS Air Sterilisation product features bespoke high efficiency, low pressure, high wattage UVC lamps mounted within the air stream, shining into a reflective anacoil chamber. Quartz shrouded lamps help prevent tube degeneration and maximise the light intensity to ensure the best possible air sterilisation.

This combination means that, for the first time, to provide guaranteed pathogen reduction data, all 'kill' performances are accomplished within the confines of the unit itself without the need for continued UVC treatment either pre or post-unit.

UVGI is able to deliver measurable performance and guaranteed results

'As the only scientifically proven technology on the market, UVGI is able to deliver measurable performance and guaranteed results,' added Passmore. 'Introducing this innovative and cost-effective solution to the UK healthcare arena is fully aligned with our objectives at Rapid Disinfection Services of helping save lives, time and money.'

The use of UVC light to disable pathogens has been explored over the years but only firmly established by Rapid Disinfection Services within the medical community over the past nine months with the launch of Tru-D. Tru-D is now used widely in many of America’s top healthcare facilities and is being trialled by a significant number of hospitals in the UK as an easy-to-use and preventative superbug-busting measure.

The latest study, entitled 'First UK evaluation of an automated ultraviolet-C room decontamination device (TRU-D)' was conducted by the Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Prevention and the Control Department at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust's QMC campus in Nottingham, England, and was published in the Journal of Hospital Infection (N. Mahida, et al., 2013).

The study confirms the effectiveness of TRU-D SmartUVC in eliminating common superbugs in healthcare environments. The research concluded that when delivering a measured and consistent UV-C dose in a cleaned, unoccupied patient room, TRU-D reduced MRSA, MRA and VRE pathogens by 99.99%. Additionally, the study compliments the ease of use and transporting the device, as well as its rapid disinfection time.

TRU-D (Total Room Ultraviolet Disinfector), the signature product of Memphis-based Lumalier, was the only device utilised in the study. After a hospital room is cleaned using traditional methods, TRU-D is rolled into the room. Setup is fast and easy and does not require input of room measurements or covering of windows and vents. The machine is turned on from outside the room using a handheld remote. From a single placement near the centre of the room, its patented Sensor360 technology instantly analyses the unique contents, shape and size of the room, then floods the targeted space (both line-of-site and shadowed spaces) with the proper dose of germicidal energy.

In this UK study, TRU-D was used in six side-rooms in Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust's QMC campus's intensive therapy unit, an operating theatre and a ward isolation room with an en-suite bathroom. The device was placed in the middle of the room, and contact plates inoculated with clinical strains of MRSA, MRA, VRE and aspergillus were placed on 15 touch surfaces in both direct and indirect (shadowed) line of sight of TRU-D. After one disinfection cycle, the plates were then reapplied to surfaces directly adjacent to the original plate locations.

The study specifically notes TRU-D's capability 'to significantly reduce key healthcare nosocomial pathogens (MRSA, VRE, MRA) in the hospital environment', including the operating theatre; and that advantages include the device's simplicity and limited training needed by staff to operate TRU-D.

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