Evaluating the effectiveness of ultraviolet-C lamps for reducing keyboard contamination in the intensive care unit: A longitudinal analysis.
BACKGROUND
Ultraviolet (UV) spectrum light for decontamination of patient care areas is an effective way to reduce transmission of infectious pathogens. Our purpose was to investigate the efficacy of an automated UV-C device to eliminate bioburden on hospital computer keyboards.


METHODS
The study took place at an academic hospital in Chicago, Illinois. Baseline cultures were obtained from keyboards in intensive care units. Automated UV-C lamps were installed over keyboards and mice of those computers. The lamps were tested at varying cycle lengths to determine shortest effective cycles. Delay after use and prior to cycle initiation was varied to minimize cycle interruptions. Finally, 218 postinstallation samples were analyzed.


RESULTS
Of 203 baseline samples, 193 (95.1%) were positive for bacteria, with a median of 120 colony forming units (CFU) per keyboard. There were numerous bacteria linked to health care-associated infections (HAIs), including Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Pseudomonas, Pasteurella, Klebsiella, Acinetobacter, and Enterobacter. Of the 193 keyboards, 25 (12.3%) had gram-negative species. Of 218 postinstallation samples, 205 (94%) were sterile. Of the 13 that showed bacterial growth, 6 produced a single CFU. Comparison of pre- and post-UV decontamination median CFU values (120 and 0, respectively) revealed a >99% reduction in bacteria.


CONCLUSIONS
The UV lamp effectively decontaminates keyboards with minimal interruption and low UV exposure. Further studies are required to determine reduction of HAI transmission with use of these devices.
['Gostine|Andrew|A|', 'Gostine|David|D|', 'Donohue|Cristina|C|', 'Carlstrom|Luke|L|']
D001419:Bacteria D003428:Cross Infection D003666:Decontamination D004203:Disinfection D004866:Equipment Contamination D006761:Hospitals D006801:Humans D007362:Intensive Care Units D008137:Longitudinal Studies D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus D019095:Point-of-Care Systems D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
bioburden Disinfection MRSA UV light UVC VRE hospital equipment hospital-acquired infections