Evidence-Based Design: Steril-Aire^TM Germicidal UVC Delivers a 6 Log Microbial Load Reduction, Improves NICU Outcomes

In the UK Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP) pneumonia is the most common and fatal infection on ICU environments. VAP increases length of ICU stay by 28% and each incidence of VAP is estimated to generate an increased cost of £6000- £22000

download pdf

A newly published peer-reviewed abstract documents the effectiveness of Steril-Aire UVC Emitters in reducing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

baby The study was performed at the Buffalo Department of Pediatrics, Neonatology, Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo (NY) over 2.5 years. The microorganisms found in the HVAC system included Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Serratia, Acinetobacter, Staphylococcus aureus and Coagulase-negative Staphlococcus species.

Study Conclusions: The study determined that UVGI decreased HVAC microbial colonisation with significant reductions in VAP due to a decrease in NICU environmental pathogens and tracheal colonisation. The study finding also included a decrease in antibiotic use in NICU high-risk patients.

In the USA VAP is the second most common hospital-acquired infection among pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) patients, is responsible for an increased length of stay and an attributable health-care cost estimated at over $30,000. VAP has also been associated with the emergence of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms.

With the NICU implementation of Steril-Aire UVC, the Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo has realised an $800,000/year reduction in direct costs and a $1.7 million/year reduction in 3rd party charges. And, considering the fact that VAP has a mortality estimated to be as high as 27.1%, the Steril-Aire solution is literally priceless.

Germicidal UVC Lights Improve Clinical Pregnancy Rates for IVF Lab, New Study Finds

Bethlehem, Pa., September 2008 – A seven and a half-year study conducted in the In Vitro Fertilisation Cleanroom Laboratory of the Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network found that the use of ultraviolet C or “UVC” lights installed in the HVAC system had a clinically significant impact on clinical pregnancy rates (CPR). In presenting the findings at the annual meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), Kathryn C. Worrilow, Ph.D. reported that the + beta and CPR increased by an average of 17.8% and 18.2%, respectively, following 10 of the 13 change-outs of the Steril-Aire UVC Emitters™ over the test period.

SIGNIFICANT
CLINICAL
IMPACT

SUCCESS DEPENDENT ON CLEAN AMBIENT AIR

Clinical success in an IVF lab is critically dependent upon the quality of the ambient air, which in turn, is directly dependent upon the HVAC system. The study led by Dr. Worrilow tracked three key components in the HVAC system – particulate filters, gas phase filters and UVC lights – and the timing of their replacement - to determine whether these individual components affected markers of pre-implantation embryogenesis and clinical pregnancy rates.

According to the findings, “There were no statistically significant differences… associated with the replacement of the particulate or gas phase filters in Testing Quarters 1-48. In contrast, immediately following 10 of the 13 UVC Emitter change-outs, the + beta hCG and clinical pregnancy rates increased 17.8% and 18.2%, respectively.”

The study goes on to say: “UVC energy will destroy 90 – 99% of airborne microbial contaminants. By targeting the DNA and RNA of microorganisms, UVC degrades and abates the proliferation of airborne and surface embryotoxic organics. Of equal significance to the developing embryo is the suggested impact of UVC irradiation on the degradation of VOCs. Our work has demonstrated that VOC levels as low as 2.2 ppb can be embryotoxic to the embryo cultured in vitro.”

UVC IN HVAC PLAYS CRITICAL ROLE IN IMPROVED CLINICAL OUTCOMES

The authors conclude: “Although the use of UVC light represents a departure from the standard HVAC design used in many IVF laboratories, the current study suggests that the use of UVC germicidal technology in the HVAC system serving the IVF laboratory may play a critical role in providing optimal ambient air towards improved clinical outcomes. The current study demonstrated that a clinically significant relationship existed between the replacement of the UVC Emitters and the associated clinical pregnancy rates.”

Robert Scheir, Ph.D., president of Steril-Aire, Inc., states: “This new data provides scientific evidence of the germicidal benefits of UVC technology. The potential benefits are far-reaching: not only for the potential to improve CPR in IVF clinics, but also for enhancing infection control in hospitals and healthcare environments, and for maintaining better ambient air in medical and pharmaceutical manufacturing clean rooms.”

Scheir adds: “The study also confirms the importance of adequate UVC output and changeout frequency in achieving desired results. The study used high-output Steril-Aire UVC lamps with a changeout schedule of 6-9 months. In the 3 of 13 UVC replacement test quarters that did not result in improved clinical pregnancy rates, outside factors may have played a role in the outcomes. As long as the lamps were functioning properly and were changed on schedule, results were consistently positive. The message to anyone using UVC is that it is critical to select a device with adequate output and to replace the device consistently at required intervals to maintain that output. Otherwise, germicidal effectiveness will be diminished.”

UVGI plays a unique role in fighting infectious disease. Virulent
viruses and bacteria are programmed to find ways to adapt to
medicines that stop them. Over time, drugs lose their effectiveness
and contribute to creation of drug resistant micro-organisms.

Airborne Superbugs: Can Hospital-Acquired Infections Cause Community Epidemics? Consulting-Specifying Engineer, 9/1/2007

"The researchers point to various new technologies currently in the marketplace (such as vapourised hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet light)"