Using photon disinfection technologies for reducing bioburden in hospitals

Abstract

Background: Environmental cleaning and disinfection is the basis of the prevention of healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs). Aim: This study aimed to describe photon disinfection technologies (PDTs), report their impact on inactivating micro-organisms and preventing HAIs and to create recommendations for their implementation in hospital settings. Methods: An integrated literature review was completed to evaluate and report the impact of PDTs in hospital settings. The quality of 23 articles were assessed, their contents analysed and results reported according to the PICOT model. Findings: The microbiological impact of the PDT varied by micro-organism, settings and according to the used devices. It was crucial that environmental cleaning was completed before the disinfection. Conclusion: The implementation of PDT in the hospital setting requires inquiry from the viewpoints of microbiological, environmental, occupational, technical and human safety. To enhance the safe implementation of PDTs, the construction and use of evidence-based global standards for PDT are crucial.