Beyond Duodenoscope-Transmitted Infections: Analysis of Surface Bioburden and UV-C Mitigation within a Tertiary Care Endoscopy Unit.

BACKGROUND: An inpatient endoscopy unit is a care hub for patients from throughout the hospital and can be the site of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Shared surfaces and other non-medical devices (keyboards) have been increasingly recognized as sites of pathogen transmission. Beyond standard cleaning of high touch target areas, we queried whether the addition of automated devices delivering low-intensity doses of UV-C radiation could further reduce bioburden in an academic endoscopy unit.

METHODS: Bioburden on previously identified high touch/communal surfaces were measured before and after installation of automated, low-intensity UV-light emitting devices (UV Angel) that passively monitor and disinfect targeted surfaces with UV-C light.

RESULTS: High touch sites (keyboards) had a baseline bacterial contamination of > 80%, whereas individual procedure rooms and common areas had a >57% contamination rate. Following implementation of automated UV-C light decontamination, bioburden was reduced on average by >91% at high touch surfaces and within procedure rooms.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS: Non-sterile hubs of patient care could serve as sites of 'silent' HAI transmission. We have identified high touch surfaces within an endoscopy unit that have a high bioburden of bacterial contamination and demonstrated that installation of passive, automated UV-C light disinfection devices can reduce bioburden significantly, possibly mitigating HAI transmission between patients.