OBJECTIVES

An estimated 200,000 Canadians experience a hospital acquired infection (HAI) annually, with approximately 8,000 to 12,000 persons dying as a result of their infection. Ultra-violet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) is an emerging disinfection technology that has biocidal activity against a wide range of pathogens. Including: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridium difficile (CDI). Given the nascent stage of this technology’s development, there is limited research on its clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness – and there are no published studies in a Canadian context according to a literature review by ‘Health Quality Ontario’ in February, 2018.

METHODS

UVGI devices were implemented within three of twelve hospitals in a Canadian health region over a six-month period in November 2016. Patient data from intervention and control sites was extracted between September 2014 and May 2018 including rates of CDI and MRSA infection. A preliminary cost analysis was conducted using aggregate data, and followed by a more sophisticated Interrupted time Series (ITS) analysis to determine the level and trend changes in infection rates related to introduction and removal of the UVGI devices in intervention sites relative to control sites.

RESULTS

The initial cost analysis determined that over the 6 month trial period, the UVGI technology delivered between $165,194 and $415,905 in costs avoided based on reductions of CDI and MRSA cases. The results of the ITS analysis are currently being compiled, and will provide a robust picture of the economic impact of the introduction and removal of the technology in intervention sites relative to control sites.

CONCLUSIONS

Initial results point towards the implementation of UVGI technology delivering of cost-savings via reduced infection rates. Given the paucity of evidence in general and in Canadian contexts in particular, dissemination of the latest evidence is crucial to informing investment decisions by health care leaders.