Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 4, 2026
Remote Laboratory Management: Respiratory Virus Diagnostics
Published on: April 6, 2019
Ultraviolet-C decontamination of a hospital room: Amount of UV light needed
Marie Lindblad1, Eva Tano2, Claes Lindahl3
1Burn Centre, Department of Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery, Uppsala University Hospital, Sweden; Department of Surgical Sciences, Plastic Surgery, Uppsala University, Sweden.
Introduction:
Our primary aim was to investigate, using a commercial radiometer, the ultraviolet C (UVC) dose received in different areas in a burn ICU ward room after an automated UVC decontamination. The secondary aim was to validate a disposable UVC-dose indicator with the radiometer readings.
Methods:
Disposable indicators and an electronic radiometer were positioned in ten different positions in a burn ICU room. The room was decontaminated using the Tru-D™-UVC device. Colour changes of the disposable indicators and radiometer readings were noted and compared. Experiment was repeated 10 times.
Findings:
The UVC radiation received in different areas varied between 15.9mJ/cm2 and 1068mJ/cm2 (median 266mJ/cm2). Surfaces, at shorter distances and in the direct line of sight of the UVC device showed statistically significant higher UVC doses than surfaces in the shadow of equipment (p=0.019). The UVC-dose indicator's colour change corresponded with the commercially radiometer readings.
Conclusions:
The amount of UVC radiation that is received in surfaces depends on their locations in the room (ie distance from the UVC emitter) and whether any objects shadow the light. In this study we suggest that quality controls should be used to assure that enough UVC radiation reaches all surfaces.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Physical Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth: Radiation and Filtration
01:29Methods of Sterilization I: Physical Methods
Steam sterilization uses non-toxic, low-cost moist heat in the form of saturated steam under pressure, which is fast, microbicidal, and sporicidal, and quickly warms and penetrates fabrics. Autoclaves, or steam sterilizers, expose each item to direct steam contact for a predetermined time at the necessary...
01:30Cleaning, Sterilization, and Disinfection
Cleaning
The cleaning process usually involves using water with detergents or enzymatic cleaner and removing foreign material from objects and surfaces, including organic material such as body fluids or inorganic material like soil. Cleaning is performed before high-level disinfection and sterilization because foreign materials on the cover of the devices interfere with process...
01:30Methods of Sterilization II: Chemical Methods
Using chemical sterilization rather than heat to clean out equipment is recommended. It eradicates and removes all bacteria,...
01:25Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
01:23Hand hygiene
Hand washing...