UV-C Disinfection Technologies: How it works and what are the current applications for health care settings

By William Leiva, MBA, MPH

In the constant search for effectiveness, productivity, and risk reduction strategies to address the potential spread of infections through surfaces, we have seen multiple advancements over the years. Until 1970, bleach was widely used as a surface disinfectant in many settings, including healthcare facilities. However, other disinfectants gained popularity thanks to cost reduction and compatibility benefits, prevention of surface damage, and more effective disinfection. While currently quaternary ammonium compounds, peracetic acid, and hydrogen peroxide solutions are commonly used as surface disinfectants, they require a consistent process to ensure adequate surface disinfection, including adequate dilution, contact time, and thorough exposure of the area to be disinfected, which makes the disinfection process time-consuming. In order to address the potential gaps of surface disinfection, newer technologies such as ultraviolet light in the C spectrum (UV-C) have become available in multiple settings. UV-C use as a disinfecting agent has been documented as far back as 1877, with evidence of its effects on Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 1903, and further applications for water treatment in 1910.

UV-C is a very specific type of radiation that can penetrate the surface of some microorganisms, viruses, and fungi, delivering surface disinfection. Due to its high energy, UV-C is harmful to eyes and skin.  Most systems currently available use a blue light when operating; this light does not increase effectiveness or deliver microbial inactivation, but is a way to inform the personnel the system is in use and the areas being disinfected should not be entered.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the principles of UV-C disinfection technology.
2. Summarize current applications in healthcare settings
3. Analyze the potential implementation of UV-C systems in hospital settings.

About the Author

Willliam Leiva, Senior Program Manager for Sterile Reprocessing, Medtronic

Willliam Leiva holds undergraduate degrees in physics and engineering and master’s degrees in business administration and public health, where he focused his research on infection prevention strategies involving medical device reprocessing. He is currently a candidate for a Ph.D. in Cybernetics and Econometrics, researching around the economic impact of the burden of premature mortality. He has published peer review articles on the application of 3D printing technologies for medical devices and for austere environments.