Depending upon the application it is being used for, UV disinfection may be the only process used (for example for air disinfection or wastewater treatment), or it could be implemented alongside traditional cleaning methods to create an enhanced and highly effective cleaning regime.

Healthcare

An example of the latter is the implementation of UV disinfection lamps in hospitals to clean patient rooms. Manual cleaning of rooms is still carried out by hospital staff, but time constraints may mean that thorough cleaning of all surfaces (with enough contact time of disinfectant chemicals) is not possible. In addition, some HAIs (hospital-acquired infections) such as MRSA and C. Difficile has been developing a resistance to cleaning chemicals, or are carried in spores that can be missed by liquid disinfectants.

Using a UV disinfection system to enhance manual cleaning methods provides an added layer of defence. Researchers at the Duke University School of Medicine in the US found that using portable UV disinfection systems in addition to standard cleaning strategies significantly decreased transmission of selected bacteria in patients who stayed overnight in a room where an infected patient was previously treated.

UV disinfection is also used in hospitals in the form of disinfection cabinets for cleaning surgical tools and other equipment, and for air disinfection. Ongoing research into potential applications of germicidal UV lamps means that more systems are being developed to ensure optimum infection control in hospitals around the world. Alpha-Purify are able to provide you with germicidal UV lamps for all applications, so make sure you contact us today with your requirements.