A Manual Disinfection Enhancement Method utilizing a Pulsed-Xenon Ultraviolet Device in Accordance with the Effect on the Contamination Levels of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE) and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
Received: 23 September 2024 | Revised: 8 October 2024 and 12 October 2024 | Accepted: 14 October 2024 | Online: 2 December 2024
Corresponding author: Saeed Hussein Alhmoud
Abstract
In hospitals, Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection lowers the rates of nosocomial infections; surface decontamination systems using Pulsed Xenon Ultraviolet light (PPX-UV) may be useful in lowering the microbiological load. This study aims to evaluate and compare Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) using manual plus PPX-UV disinfection technology versus standard manual room cleaning. Samples of high-touch surfaces from 20 rooms were taken both before and after both group the manual cleaning alone and the manual plus PPX-UV. Post-cleaning results showed a notable reduction in colony counts for both VRE (99%) and MRSA (98%) when comparing manual cleaning to manual plus PPX-UV treatment. The manual method showed higher colony counts for both bacteria compared to the manual plus PPX-UV method, with statistically significant differences in incidence rate ratios observed (p < .05). The study findings demonstrate that while manual cleaning methods can reduce microbial load, the manual plus PPX-UV method is notably more effective in achieving lower colony counts post-cleaning. This study underscores the importance of employing effective disinfection strategies in healthcare environments.
Keywords:
hospital associated infections, Ultraviolet (UV), environmental quality improvement, Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE), Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA), Healthcare-Acquired Infections (HAIs)Downloads
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