The Carillion Health cleaning team at the Royal London Hospital is piloting an innovative infection control solution. The six week pilot, which commenced this week, features a UV-C light triple tower technology system never before used in the UK.
Carillion’s Cleaning Centre of Excellence completed extensive research and investigation into using UV-C disinfection to control healthcare associate infections. The research identified a new system that overcomes the short comings of existing UV-C disinfectors, and Carillion is working with the US manufacturer, Surfacide, to trial its automatic non-touch UV-C room disinfection system in the UK.
The technology allows all areas of the patient environment to be disinfected, overcoming obstacles such as shadows and distance that are inherent issues with using single-emitter UV-C systems. Proven to control multiple drug-resistant organisms, including C.diff, MRSA, VRE, CRE, and Acinetobacter, the system involves placing three articulating UV-C towers in a patient room which is equipped with laser validation, to ensure that the area is completely covered during a 30 minute disinfection process. Evidence from the US demonstrates that this process significantly reduces the risk of healthcare associated infections.
During the trial, Carillion will be capturing, collating and analysing data based on infection log reductions, time per application and exposure times needed for efficacy. On completion of the trial, the team will determine its effectiveness with a view to rolling out this technology across its contracts if successful. Mike Hobbs, Managing Director of Carillion Health, commented: “The value of our Centres of Excellence is demonstrated through this trial of a new technology that could be an important addition to the management of hospital infections. We are looking forward to the results of the trial, with the hope that we have another weapon in our armoury to combat hospital infections.”
