Rapid design and implementation of a UVC decontamination room

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Biomedical Engineering
• Infectious Disease Control

Background:

• COVID-19 pandemic led to critical shortages of N95 filter face-mask respirators (FFRs).
• Hospitals require effective sterilization methods for N95 FFR reuse by healthcare personnel.
• Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVC) offers a practical sterilization solution due to its speed, safety, and availability.

Purpose of the Study:

• Establish a UVC light sterilization room for N95 FFRs.
• Develop procedural guidelines for quality control in N95 FFR decontamination.
• Evaluate healthcare employees' perceptions of UVC decontamination efficacy and process.

Main Methods:

• Analytical analysis of UVC photon intensity and computer simulations for lighting power density.
• Experimental measurements to confirm energy deposition for UVC sterilization.
• Development of handling procedures for pre- and post-sterilized N95 FFRs and employee surveys.

Main Results:

• Validated room layout and UVC system parameters for effective N95 FFR sterilization.
• Established clear protocols for mask handling and processing.
• Collected and analyzed employee feedback on the decontamination process.

Conclusions:

• The developed UVC sterilization process provides a viable method for N95 FFR reuse.
• This study offers a blueprint for implementing rapid UVC decontamination in healthcare settings.
• Addressing staff perceptions is crucial for successful adoption of new sterilization protocols.