Abstract
Objectives We have developed a pulsed xenon ultraviolet light-based real-time air disinfection system with rapid and effective disinfection by using high-intensity pulse germicidal UV. Disinfection of the ambulance's environment is critical in the prevention of infectious cross contamination. Methods In this study, a pulsed xenon ultraviolet light-based air disinfection system was established for real-time air disinfection in ambulances. In this system, a pulsed xenon ultraviolet (PX-UV) was used to generate broad-spectrum (200–320 nm), high-intensity ultraviolet light to deactivate and kill bacteria and viruses. The results showed that the use of PX-UV could be effective in reducing E. coli, Staphylococcus albus, and environmental pathogens level in ambulances (≥90% reduction in 30 mins). Results This device was relatively simple and easy to use and does not leave chemical residues or risk exposing patients and workers to toxic chemicals. Conclusions This appears to be a practical alternative technology to achieve automated air disinfection in ambulances.
Highlights
Hundreds of millions of patients around the world are affected by health care-associated infections (HCAI) each year, and despite the presence of many disinfection methods, microbial contamination remains a significant health concern throughout the world [1, 2]. e ambulance is one of the most common and important types of medical transport in the hospital emergency system
Because of the special construction and the narrow space inside, ambulances are frequently contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms shed by patients during prehospital transport, which would be transferred to subsequent patients and emergency medical service workers
Previous studies have demonstrated that ambulances operating in the emergency medical services (EMS) system may have a significant degree of MRSA contamination [3, 4]. ese results demonstrated that ambulances represent an important reservoir for infectious microorganisms during an infectious disease pandemic, when large numbers of highly contagious patients would be transported
Summary
Hundreds of millions of patients around the world are affected by health care-associated infections (HCAI) each year, and despite the presence of many disinfection methods, microbial contamination remains a significant health concern throughout the world [1, 2]. e ambulance is one of the most common and important types of medical transport in the hospital emergency system. Because of the special construction and the narrow space inside, ambulances are frequently contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms shed by patients during prehospital transport, which would be transferred to subsequent patients and emergency medical service workers. Previous studies have demonstrated that ambulances operating in the emergency medical services (EMS) system may have a significant degree of MRSA contamination [3, 4]. Ese results demonstrated that ambulances represent an important reservoir for infectious microorganisms during an infectious disease pandemic, when large numbers of highly contagious patients would be transported. Disinfection of the ambulance’s environment is critical in the prevention of infectious cross contamination. Chemicals such as chlorine dioxide and hydrogen peroxide disinfectant have traditionally been used for ambulance disinfection after used by infectious patients.
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