Journal of Hospital Infection最新文献

{"title":"Drain decontamination using in-situ generated ozone.","authors":"Malgorzata Z Pajak-Zajac, Adam Dowdell, Hugh E Potts, Andrew Smith, Declan A Diver","doi":"10.1016/j.jhin.2025.02.001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2025.02.001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Sink drains can be a significant source of microbial contamination in healthcare settings, from aerosolization and splash-back of pathogens caused by flowing water.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To demonstrate a method of ozone disinfection of drains using a novel generation process that suppresses pathogen growth in the drain sump, whether planktonic or dwelling in biofilms.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>& Results: Highly biocidal ozone was generated in-situ in the drain, using the ambient air sealed between the drain water-trap and a portable cold plasma device. Safety mechanisms in the device ensured that the operator was not exposed to ozone. Subsequent bacterial recovery illustrated an approximate bioburden reduction of 5log₁₀ for biofilms in the drain itself, and 6log₁₀ for biofilms located in the sink.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Plasma-generated ozone is a safe and effective method for controlling bioburden in periodically wetted, otherwise inaccessible pipework and drains.</p><p><strong>Significance and impact of study: </strong>The portable ozone disinfection system described has demonstrated potential for controlling the escape of pathogens from drains. Compared to conventional liquid-based disinfection techniques we find the following advantages: (a) a gaseous biocide can reach all surfaces inside the treatment target, without any restriction from orientation or surface tension; (b) ozone is effective in reducing planktonic and biofilm bacterial counts; (c) the ozone is generated at the point of use from air, using only minimal electrical power, requiring no chemical delivery or storage, and producing no toxic residues.</p>","PeriodicalId":54806,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Hospital Infection","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143442784","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Factors associated with core competencies of infection prevention and control practitioners in 511 hospitals: A large cross-sectional survey in Guizhou in southwest China.","authors":"Yao Yao, Zhuhong Zha, Bing Huang, Zhaofeng Jing, Liming Wang, Qin Wu, Yufei Zhang, Qingyang Zhao, Feng Lu, Qin Zhang, Min He, Xiaodong Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.jhin.2025.02.004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2025.02.004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The purpose of this study is to examine the determinants that influence the level of core competencies of IPCPs in different hospitals in Guizhou in Southwest China.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study conducted a cross-sectional survey of IPCPs from April to June 2022, using a competency self-assessment scale for IPCPs that encompassed 4 core dimensions, 11 sub-dimensions and 47 measurement items.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The self-assessment competency score of 1083 IPCPs from 511 hospitals was 4.891±1.204. Among the four core dimensions, the lowest self-assessment score was for professional development ability at 4.494±1.291, and among the 11 sub-dimensions, the lowest score was for comprehensive knowledge at 3.748±1.578. The core competencies of different hospitals showed that traditional Chinese medicine hospitals had the highest score of 5.306±1.071. Linear regression analysis showed that the independent factors influencing self-assessment competence were age(B=0.487, 95%CI:0.189-0.785), years of IPC practical experience(B=0.216, 95%CI:0.050-0.382), professional title(B=-0.395, 95%CI:-0.693--0.097), monthly income(B=-0.296, 95%CI:-0.484--0.107), experience in frontline epidemic response(B=0.236, 95%CI:0.098-0.382), proficiency in office software applications(B=-0.747, 95%CI:-0.898--0.596) and cultural atmosphere of hospital IPC(B=-0.406, 95%CI:-0.799--0.013).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The core competencies of IPCPs in China require enhancement. Differences in the core competencies of IPCPs in different hospitals were identified, providing substantial evidence for the further development of competency-based training programmes.</p>","PeriodicalId":54806,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Hospital Infection","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143442788","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prognosis analysis and infection-related risk factors of multidrug-resistant bacteria isolated from a general hospital in China, 2019-2023.","authors":"Yang Junlin, Chen Min, Li Lingzhu, Zha Zhuhong, Cheng Min, Yang Xi","doi":"10.1016/j.jhin.2025.02.003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2025.02.003","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Analysis of detection trends, infection prognosis, and risk factors for nosocomial infections (NI) in multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB) can help improve infection control efforts.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Using data from inpatients of a single-centre hospital in China from 2019 to 2023, we analysed trends of detection rate of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP), carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB), carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The Kaplan-Meier approach was used to evaluate the survival prognosis of patients infected with resistant and sensitive KP, AB, PA, and SA strains. We used a 1:1 matched case-control study to analyse risk factors.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The χ² trend test indicated a statistically significant difference in the increasing rate of CRKP (χ²=25.481, P < 0.001). CRKP and CRAB were mainly detected in the intensive care unit (ICU) and during surgery. CRPA and MRSA were mainly detected in internal medicine. The main infection sites of MDRB NI were the respiratory and blood systems. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that patients with tumours (OR=2.886), use of corticosteroids (OR=1.403), low albumin level (OR=0.701), antibiotic co-administration (OR=2.873), surgery (OR=3.317), indwelling gastric tube (OR=1.738), mechanical ventilation (OR=1.616), and indwelling central venous catheterisation (OR=1.778) were independent risk variables for MDRB NI (P < 0.05). A short duration of antibiotic use (OR=0.665) was a protective factor for MDRB NI (P < 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The high lethality of CRKP infections should not be ignored. Clinical work should focus on CRKP infections of the lower respiratory tract and blood system in the ICU and enhance oversight of the judicious use of antimicrobials.</p>","PeriodicalId":54806,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Hospital Infection","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143442813","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Survey of healthcare-associated sink infrastructure, and sink trap antibiotic residues and biochemistry, in 29 UK hospitals.","authors":"Rodger G, Chau K, Aranega Bou P, Moore G, Roohi A, Walker As, Stoesser N","doi":"10.1016/j.jhin.2025.02.002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2025.02.002","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Hospital sinks are linked to healthcare-associated infections. Antibiotics and chemicals in sink traps can select for pathogens and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Optimising sink design and usage can mitigate sink-to-patient dissemination of pathogens, but large-scale surveys of hospital sink infrastructure are lacking.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Twenty-nine UK hospitals submitted photos and metadata for sinks across three wards (ICU/medical/surgical; January-March 2023). Photos were used to classify sink design as \"optimal\" according to guidelines and published studies. Sink trap aspirates were dipstick-tested for antibiotics and chemistry. Logistic regression was used to characterise associations of ward type and sink location with optimal sink design or detectable trap antibiotics.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 287 sinks surveyed 111 were in ICUs, 92 in medical wards and 84 in surgical wards; 77 were in medicines/drug preparation rooms, 97 on patient bays, 25 in patient side-rooms and 88 in sluice rooms. Sink-to-bed ratios ranged from 0.23-2.83 sinks/patient bed and were higher on ICUs (1.21 versus 0.82 and 0.84 on medical and surgical wards, respectively; p-value=0.04). The median sink-to-patient distance was 1.5m (IQR: 1.00-2.21m). Sink design varied widely; it was deemed \"optimal\" for 65/122 (53%) sinks in patient bays/side-rooms and \"optimal\" design was associated with side-room location (p-value=0.04). Antibiotics were detected in 95/287 (33%) sink traps and were associated with medicines/drug preparation rooms (p<0.001). Sink trap chemicals detected included metals, chlorine, and fluoride.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Sinks are common in hospitals, frequently close to patients, and often sub-optimally designed. Commonly used antibiotics were detected in a third of sink traps and may contribute to the selection of pathogens and AMR in these reservoirs, and subsequent transmission to patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":54806,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Hospital Infection","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143442819","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimization and evaluation of new decontamination procedures inactivating human prions.","authors":"Laetitia Herzog, Fabienne Reine, Johan Castille, Bruno Passet, Mohammed Moudjou, Roger Bonnet, Juan Maria Torres, Human Rezaei, Jean-Luc Vilotte, Vincent Béringue, Angélique Igel","doi":"10.1016/j.jhin.2024.12.013","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2024.12.013","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Prions are protein-only infectious agents for which no prophylactic or curative treatment exists. Infectivity bioassays based on hamster-263K prions allowed to identify processes capable of inactivating prions on medical devices. However, a 2016 publication study revealed that detergent formulations effective against hamster strain had poor efficacy against human strains. Shortly after, three probable cases of accidental Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease underscored the risk for scientists, health workers, and patients exposed to contaminated materials. The governmental guidelines were modified and emphasizing the need for formulations effective against human prions and robust in vitro and in vivo evaluation protocols. Here, we aimed to compare infectivity bioassays with those of their PMCA counterparts to propose a robust method for evaluating prionicide treatments against human prions.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Stainless steel wires were contaminated with two humanized prion strains. The wires were then treated with different protocols based on a new formulation termed TFD Premium and WHO references. Residual prion seeding activity and infectivity on the wire and in wastewater were quantified using mb-PMCA and ad hoc bioassays. For vCJD, PMCA compared humanized prions and a human-derived prion isolate.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>TFD Premium proved more efficient at decontaminating humanized prions than 1 N NaOH for 1 hour at room temperature. Tg650-sCJD-VV2 were more resistant to inactivation than vCJD prions. For vCJD, strain from both sources shown similar resistant profile against TFD Premium. Finally, there was perfect alignment between the highly sensitive PMCA cell-free assay and the bioassays.</p>","PeriodicalId":54806,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Hospital Infection","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143426752","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Worker risk from ultrasonicator aerosolization in medical device reprocessing, a particulate and bio-burden approach.","authors":"Remus O Anders, Rachel Tyli, Eve Capistran, Yordanka G Guardiola, Garry Bassi, Tania D'Arpino, James A Scott, Tony Mazzulli","doi":"10.1016/j.jhin.2025.01.012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2025.01.012","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Reprocessing reusable medical devices and surgical instruments is vital for ensuring safe healthcare in hospitals. Medical Device Reprocessing Departments (MDRDs) handle the cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing of these instruments. While previous research has examined bioburden on surfaces and associated patient health risks, there is limited focus on occupational hazards for MDRD workers.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study investigates the potential bioaerosol exposure and particle concentrations generated by ultrasonic sterilizing water baths within the MDRD at Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Bioaerosol sampling was conducted using Andersen-style samplers for bacterial and fungal cultures. Particle sampling was measured using optical particle samplers.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Results showed that the majority of bioaerosols were composed of low-risk skin microflora and waterborne bacteria, predominantly Micrococcus luteus and Staphylococcal species. However, potentially harmful bacteria such as Citrobacter species and Acinetobacter species were detected. Fungal genera identified included Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Penicillium.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Although the overall aerosol generation from ultrasonic cleaning appeared minimal, the study highlights the importance of appropriate PPE and suggests further research on ventilation and additional aerosol sources in MDRDs is needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":54806,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Hospital Infection","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143426759","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Trends of Surgical Site Infection and Periprosthetic Joint Infection after Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty in Two National Health Registers 2013 - 2022.","authors":"Øystein Espeland Karlsen, Håvard Dale, Ove Furnes, Hanne-Merete Eriksen-Volle, Marianne Westberg","doi":"10.1016/j.jhin.2025.01.010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2025.01.010","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to assess trends in surgical site infection (SSI), reoperations for SSI, and reoperations for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) following primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) in Norway from 2013 to 2022. Two national health registers were used to compare their abilities as surveillance tools for PJI after primary THA. There has been a corresponding decline in SSI and reoperation for PJI between 2013 and 2022. A 95% completeness of 30-days reoperation for PJI in the patient-consent based Norwegian Arthroplasty Register, compared to the mandatory Norwegian Surveillance System for Healthcare Associated Infections is considered excellent. The findings indicate a genuine reduction in SSI and PJI incidence after primary THA.</p>","PeriodicalId":54806,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Hospital Infection","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143384133","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Endoscope-associated outbreak of OXA-181-carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae and its implications for hygiene management","authors":"J. Haak ,&nbsp;I. Klempien ,&nbsp;J.B. Hans ,&nbsp;S. Schaefer ,&nbsp;K. Meyer-Bothling ,&nbsp;S. Gatermann ,&nbsp;E.E. Dirks ,&nbsp;K. Konrat ,&nbsp;M. Arvand","doi":"10.1016/j.jhin.2025.01.016","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jhin.2025.01.016","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Aim</h3><div>To report the epidemiologic, microbiologic and genetic investigation of a large outbreak of carbapenem-resistant <em>Klebsiella pneumoniae</em> associated with gastrointestinal endoscopy, including infection control interventions.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Internal and external audits of reprocessing procedure, systematic microbiological examination of reprocessed endoscopes, replacement of old endoscopes, investigation of channels of a dismantled endoscope, disinfectant efficacy testing on the outbreak strain's biofilm, and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analysis were performed.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>In the early phase of the outbreak, the outbreak strain was detected in 19 patients, 16 (84%) of whom had undergone gastrointestinal endoscopy. The strain was also isolated from a reprocessed endoscope. WGS confirmed clonal relatedness of isolates and suggested transmission between patients via contaminated endoscopes. The reprocessing was audited, old endoscopes were replaced with new ones, and systematic microbiological examination of new endoscopes was introduced. In the follow-up, the outbreak strain was isolated from a new endoscope after reprocessing. Repeat audit revealed residual moisture in endoscope channels after reprocessing. Inspection of a dismantled endoscope revealed debris and scratches in channels. Disinfectant efficacy testing revealed tolerance of the outbreak strain's biofilm to peracetic acid. The outbreak strain was isolated from 32 patients and two reprocessed endoscopes. WGS suggested patient-to-patient as route of transmission in the outbreak's later phase.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>A multi-stage strategy was required to contain this outbreak. Microscopic analysis showed evidence of biofilm formation in endoscope channels and the outbreak strain's biofilm showed tolerance to the disinfectant used for reprocessing. Our data underscores the need for continued vigilance in infection control practices and reprocessing protocols for endoscopes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54806,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Hospital Infection","volume":"158 ","pages":"Pages 19-28"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143384130","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Meta-analysis of risk factors for infection by multidrug-resistant organisms in intensive care unit patients.","authors":"Qing Ye, Xiaoli Chen, Jianna Zhang, Jie Lin","doi":"10.1016/j.jhin.2025.01.015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2025.01.015","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Patients with infection by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) are often complicated, are difficult to cure, require advanced antimicrobial drugs for treatment, and are susceptible to bacterial colonization. This places a heavy economic burden on patients, which can even lead to death, and also increases the economic burden on healthcare services.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>We aimed to systematically assess the risk factors for infection by MDROs in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library were queried from database inception to September 21, 2023, for literature on risk factors for MDRO infection in patients in the ICU. Two researchers independently performed the screening, data extraction, and quality assessment of the retrieved articles. Data were statistically analysed using Stata 16.0.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>This meta-analysis included 29 articles involving 18,063 patients, of whom 2,955 had contracted MDRO infections. The results of the meta-analysis revealed that diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, history of hospitalization within the previous year, abnormal liver function, history of MDRO infection, injury severity score, length of ICU stay, nasogastric tube, parenteral nutrition, colonization pressure, multiple traumas, mechanical ventilation, tracheostomy, central venous catheter, previous antibiotic treatment, immunosuppressive agents, piperacillin-tazobactam, multi-antibiotic treatment, glycopeptide antibiotics, carbapenems, imipenem, and nitroimidazoles were risk factors for MDRO infection in patients in the ICU.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The ICU is a high-risk area for MDRO infection. Healthcare professionals should adopt prevention and control measures based on these risk factors to reduce the occurrence of MDRO infections.</p>","PeriodicalId":54806,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Hospital Infection","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143384132","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"IMPACT OF ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT DISINFECTION ON REDUCING HOSPITAL-ASSOCIATED INFECTIONS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW IN HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTS.","authors":"Andrea Maugeri, Beatrice Casini, Enrica Esposito, Sara Bracaloni, Michela Scarpaci, Federico Patanè, Gabriele Milazzo, Antonella Agodi, Martina Barchitta","doi":"10.1016/j.jhin.2025.01.014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2025.01.014","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Hospital-associated infections (HAIs) are a significant burden on healthcare systems, necessitating effective prevention strategies. Ultraviolet light (UVL) disinfection has emerged as a potential method for reducing HAIs by decontaminating healthcare environments.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of UVL in reducing HAIs across various hospital settings.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A systematic literature review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, with searches performed in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus through July 2023. Peer-reviewed observational and experimental studies assessing UVL's impact on HAIs were included. Data extraction focused on study characteristics, UVL type, and infection outcomes. Studies focusing on environmental contamination or lacking sufficient data were excluded.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>Twenty-five studies met the inclusion criteria. UVL types included ultraviolet-C (UV-C), pulsed xenon UV (PX-UV), and unspecified UVL. For PX-UV, several studies reported reductions in infection rates, with some showing up to a 70% decrease in Clostridium difficile infection rates, especially in high-risk areas like intensive care units, though results vary across settings, with some studies not observing significant improvements. UV-C disinfection has also been found to reduce HAIs, with its effectiveness varying based on the healthcare setting and targeted pathogens, and it is most effective when used in conjunction with other infection control strategies.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>UVL disinfection technologies have demonstrated potential in reducing HAIs, particularly when integrated into a comprehensive infection prevention strategy. Their effectiveness, however, varies by application, pathogen type, and healthcare setting. Further research is needed to optimize UVL implementation and assess its cost-effectiveness in diverse clinical environments.</p>","PeriodicalId":54806,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Hospital Infection","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143384131","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}