Authors' objectives: Serious hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) occur with a number of microbial pathogens, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp., Clostridium difficile, Acinetobacter spp., and norovirus. Routine cleaning and disinfection of hospital surfaces reduces microbial colonization and reduces hand and glove contamination among hospital workers, potentially reducing the risk of patient infections. However, traditional environmental cleaning and disinfection methods are often inefficient. Variables such as optimal cleaning frequencies, methods, equipment, benchmarks, monitoring, and standards for surface cleanliness are often the source of controversy. Description of Technology: The Xenex Pulsed Xenon Ultraviolet (PX-UV) Light Disinfection System (Xenex Disinfection Services LLC) is a portable, robotic, germicidal device used for advanced environmental cleaning of healthcare facilities. When used as an adjunct to standard cleaning, the system can disinfect complex environments with multiple surfaces that are difficult to clean manually. The purported mechanism of action suggests cellular damage, including photohydration, photosplitting, and photodimerization, all of which prevent cell replication. In addition, purported photo crosslinking results in cell wall damage and potential cell lysis. Given the broad spectrum of damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) light with this system, acquired bacterial resistance is not expected to develop. Patient Population: The PX-UV system is used as an adjunct to traditional environmental cleaning and disinfection processes to reduce microbial contamination of hospital room surfaces, and thereby reduce the risk of HAI in outpatient and inpatient healthcare facilities. Because the device is used in unoccupied rooms, no direct patient contact occurs. Clinical Alternatives: Clinical alternatives to the PX-UV system include other no-touch processes such as steam vapor cleaning machines, ozone, high-intensity narrow-spectrum light, hydrogen peroxide vapors or dry aerosols, and UV-activated titanium dioxide photocatalytic reactions to oxidize volatile organic compounds and airborne microorganisms. All no-touch modalities are used as an adjunct to traditional cleaning and disinfection processes to reduce microbial contamination of room surfaces.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2016

URL for published report: The report may be purchased from: http://www.hayesinc.com/hayes/crd/?crd=17001

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: United States

Organisation Name: HAYES, Inc.

Contact Address: 157 S. Broad Street, Suite 200, Lansdale, PA 19446, USA. Tel: 215 855 0615; Fax: 215 855 5218

Contact Name: saleinfo@hayesinc.com

Contact Email: saleinfo@hayesinc.com

Copyright: Winifred S. Hayes, Inc