학술논문

Effect of a UV-C Automatic Last-Generation Mobile Robotic System on Multi-Drug Resistant Pathogens
Document Type
redif-article
Source
MDPI, IJERPH. 18(24):1-12
Subject
Language
English
Abstract
Background: Healthcare-associated infections caused by multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogens are associated with increased mortality and morbidity among hospitalized patients. Inanimate surfaces, and in particular high-touch surfaces, have often been described as the source for outbreaks of nosocomial infections. The present work aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a last-generation mobile (robotic) irradiation UV-C light device R2S on MDR microorganisms in inanimate surfaces and its translation to hospital disinfection. Methods: The efficacy of R2S system was evaluated in environmental high-touch surfaces of two separate outpatient rooms of Perugia Hospital in Italy. The static UV-C irradiation effect was investigated on both the bacterial growth of S. aureus , MRSA, P. aeruginosa , and K. pneumoniae KPC and photoreactivation. The antimicrobial activity was also tested on different surfaces, including glass, steel, and plastic. Results: In the environmental tests, the R2S system decreased the number of bacteria, molds, and yeasts of each high-touch spot surface (HTSs) compared with manual sanitization. UV-C light irradiation significantly inhibits in vitro bacterial growth, also preventing photoreactivation. UV-C light bactericidal activity on MDR microorganisms is affected by the type of materials of inanimate surfaces. Conclusions: The last-generation mobile R2S system is a more reliable sanitizing procedure compared with its manual counterpart.