TB Infection Control
Note to Gobe on Bacticlean Units - Installation of UV lights at Princess Marina Hospital TB wards, Botswana
Dear Gobe:
Thanks for posting this and welcome!!!
I will not be able to access the internet until this evening; however, I believe these are the same room air cleaners (with UV inside) that Ed and I saw at PMH MDR/XDR TB Department. Am I correct? If this is true, then all I can say at this time is that if the units are 100% effective (which has not been verified) in inactivating airborne MTB, you will need at least four of these units in each of the single-patient wards in the MDR/XDR department to obtain the equivalent of six air changes per hour of ventilation. The general medical wards are rather large areas and you will need many, many units! There are also two other disadvantages with these units. They do not provide any negative pressure nor do they provide directional airflow in the ward. I also have two other concerns. The unit we saw required us to remove it from the wall to access the back of the unit where the "screws" were located. Also, these screws has special "heads,"requiring a special tool. We were unable to open one up to see the inner workings; this will also mean that maintenance will not be simple! Finally, I had no measurable levels of UVGI after removing the filters by the fans; however, I could see blue light. We need to verify that these are UVGI (i.e., germicidal wavelength, 254 nm) lamps. Also, like upper-room (shielded) UVGI, these units require good air mixing to. Maximize their overall efficiency in the ward.
I will add more tonight.
Regards,
Paul J
**Please click here to view original discussion: https://www.ghdonline.org/ic/discussion/re-bulk-re-tb-infection-control-infec...
