Emergence in new technology has made it possible for hospitals to use robotic technology to disinfect various hospital areas such as patient rooms, operating rooms, ICU units, long-term care facilities, and emergency rooms. These UVC disinfection robots work by deconstructing the DNA in deadly pathogens and bugs that cause common hospital-acquired infections that can compromise patients’ treatment outcomes, and that’s why they need to hire medical professionals more than ever, so if you want to work in this type of hospital is vital to apply only to a limited amount of residency programs for a guaranteed match.

Understanding UVC lighting and how it works to kill germs

UV light or ultraviolet light is a form of lighting that transmits waves that are no visible to the human eye. This light exists on the electromagnetic spectrum between visible light and X-rays. The sun is the natural source of UV light, where most of it is absorbed in the ozone layer.

UVC wavelengths are at least 200 nanometers, which makes them capable of killing germs. These wavelengths are used in hospitals to inactivate microorganisms like viruses and bacteria. This makes UVC energy an effective disinfecting energy ideal for use in lighting for hospitals and healthcare facilities.

UVC is also environmentally friendly and chemical-free, making it perfect for preventing the growth of microorganisms in any environment without introducing chemicals to the environment.

Benefits of using UVC for disinfection

• UV disinfection is chemical-free, thus leaves no residue on surfaces or the environment.
• It requires no transportation, handling, or storage, as would be the case with chemical-based disinfectants.
• It is a no-touch automated method of eliminating viruses, bacteria, and germs. This leaves minimal room for error.

When UVC lighting is introduced in the room, the light’s high energy is absorbed in the DNA of germs and viruses. This causes damage to the nucleic acids, making it impossible for the pathogens to reproduce or cause infections. This is why it is effective in preventing hospital-acquired infections.

Types of UV lighting used for disinfection

Generally, there are three types of UV lighting. These are UVA, UVB, and UVC. Most disinfecting robots used in hospitals are used to emit UVC rays, which is the only type of UV light capable of killing germs and disinfecting surfaces. UVC makes use of short wavelength UV radiation, which is harmful to pathogens and microorganisms.

While broader spectrum UV disinfection is often claimed to be more effective than UVC, it utilizes more energy without necessarily being more effective. Only short wave UV light has been proven to produce enough energy to kill microorganisms.

According to studies, using UVC technology in hospitals and medical facilities has a 97.7% chance of reducing hospital-acquired infections. According to a study in the American Journal of Infection Control, this light eliminated up to 97.7% of pathogens in ORs.

Why hospitals are adding UVC machines to their infection control methods

Manual cleaning is inconsistent.

For a hospital to keep infections and pathogens away, they require using strong cleaning and disinfecting products that require human effort to be applied in rooms and surfaces. While manual disinfection has been effective for generations, it not always a guarantee that it will be done each day thoroughly.

UVC robots ensure each room is disinfected every day effectively since it does not require human effort and uses laser rays to reach even the most hidden parts of a room.

UVC disinfecting is more effective

While standard manual cleaning of rooms and surfaces can reduce pathogens, it does not always eliminate them. Using UVC machines ensures pathogens are eliminated by making it impossible for them to multiply.

UVC meets the patient’s expectations for cleanliness

Most patients prefer being treated in institutions that take infections preventions and control seriously. Cleanliness and disinfection are among the most important aspects for most patients since it reduces the risk of going home with an infection from the hospital.

To win the battle against HAI (Hospital Acquired Infections), it is important to adopt methods that guarantee close to 100% effectiveness in fighting pathogens. UVC lighting is the only proven method for effectively removing germs, viruses, and other microorganisms.