Increasing patient safety by preventing hospital-related infections becomes more efficient with the innovations of the R&D department of B+N Referencia Zrt. – Zsuzsanna Nagy, Director of Hygiene and Dr. Ágnes Ősz, Biologist and Senior Researcher reveal in an interview for the Interdisciplinary Hungarian Health Journal.
Chemical-free, fast and safe – the benefits of in-house developed UV devices
“The spread of hospital-acquired infections depends to a large extent on the method and quality of disinfecting. Thanks to our developers, we are expanding our range of equipment with a hand-held UV disinfection unit and a self-propelled version in the future. Important advantages of these devices are their low labour requirement and their consistent disinfection quality.” – highlights Zsuzsanna Nagy, Director of the Hygiene at B+N Referencia Zrt.
Nagy further explains the advantages of the devices: UV disinfection is a much faster technology than disinfection with H2O2 or O3 gas. Disinfection is carried out chemically, the room can be used immediately at the end of the treatment and no lengthy preparation is required, such as the separation of room air like in the case of gaseous methods.
Disinfecting between patients
We learn from the expert that in those patient rooms where there is a high risk of infection, the UV disinfection robot can be used safely. Of course, manual cleaning is the first step in these rooms to ensure that no contamination remain under which the UV light cannot penetrate. This equipment disinfects much faster than hydrogen peroxide or ozone disinfection, which take around three hours.
Biologist, dr Ágnes Ősz adds: “The self-propelled UV disinfector is primarily intended for hospital use. However, since UV light does not enter every small gap, we first map the room with 3D modelling, and then the robot traverses the area. The advantage of the UV disinfection robot is that it is not necessary to close the aeration system and the gaps by the doors before use. Furthermore, it disinfects surfaces that may have come into contact with patients or become contaminated even in 15-20 minutes.
How UV works
The device uses the germicidal properties of UVC light to work through the genetic material of micro-organisms (viruses, bacteria, spores and fungi). This method disinfects not only surfaces but also the air. “Radiation disrupts the stability of the genome leading to cell death. But it is important to know, that UVC light can cause short- or long-term damage to human skin and eyes, so it is essential to protect staff: make sure that no one enters the room during UV disinfection.” – stresses dr Ágnes Ősz.
