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Ultraviolet Powder versus Ultraviolet Gel for Assessing Environmental Cleaning

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

L. Silvia Munoz-Price*
Affiliation:
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida Department of Epidemiology and Publich Health, University of Miami, Miami, Florida Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, Florida
Yovanit Fajardo-Aquino
Affiliation:
Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, Florida
Kristopher L. Arheart
Affiliation:
Division of Biostatistics, University of Miami, Miami, Florida Department of Epidemiology and Publich Health, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
*
Park Plaza West L-302, 1611 NW, 12th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136-1096 (smunozprice@med.miami.edu)

Abstract

We compared cleaning rates associated with use of a white ultraviolet (UV) powder versus a transparent UV gel among units with various degrees of previous experience with UV powder. The study outcome was the presence of discordant cleaning (removal of powder without the removal of gel, or vice versa). We found higher frequency of discordance in high-experience units (31%) than in no-experience units (8%) (P<.001). In 92% of discordant findings, the powder was removed but not the gel (P< .001). These findings suggest preferential cleaning of visible UV targets among units with high levels of previous experience with powder.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2012;33(2):192-195

Type
Concise Communications
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2012

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