Evaluation of an ultraviolet C device for hospital pharmacy compounding

Aseptic pharmaceutical compounding is a high-risk activity in hospital pharmacies requiring strict environmental control. Ultraviolet-C (UVC) irradiation offers a "non-touch" and chemical-free method of disinfection for materials entering in white rooms. The present study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a UVC disinfection device (Artemisia, Byola, Faulquemont, France) for inactivating common hospital pathogens in vitro. Stock solutions of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus spizizenii, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans were prepared and spread on Petri dishes. Plates were placed in the disinfection device and exposed to UVC for 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 min (2, 5, and 10 min for B. spizizenii). After UVC exposure, culture plates were incubated at 32 ± 2 °C and colony forming unit were quantified 24- and 120-hours post-exposure. Microorganisms were chosen as they have different cell wall compositions and are associated with healthcare-associated infections; B. spizizenii spores were included as a surrogate microorganism for pathogenic spore species and strains. For all microorganisms, after 2 min of exposure a reduction > 7 log₁₀ was observed at 24- and 120-hours post-exposure. The Artemisia tested herein thus demonstrates potential to be used for sterilisation, at least against the microorganisms tested.