FEATURE A Clean Sweep


From waste to waiting lists, UV Smart Co-Founder Daan Hoek explains how UV-C disinfection could help secure a more efficient healthcare sector.


The nation’s TVs, phones and social media have been flashing red and blue as Labour and the Conservatives ramp up their campaigning ahead of the general election.


Central to both parties’ manifestos – and a key topic in most debates – has been the future of healthcare, with Sunak and Starmer putting forward their plans to support and improve NHS services.


So, let’s take a look at how evolving UV-C disinfection technology can help reduce the reliance on single-use medical equipment, cut down on the level of resources used by the NHS, improve infection control and combat staffing issues.


LESS WASTE, FEWER RESOURCES


The healthcare industry is estimated to account for nearly 5% of global CO2 emissions and, despite plans to become the ‘world’s first net zero national health service’ by 2040, the NHS is still very reliant on single-use medical items.


While they help reduce the risk of cross-contamination and can save valuable time, disposable options also pose significant threats to the environment and there are growing calls from experts and senior NHS staff to move away from ‘throwaway’ culture.


By providing efficient and consistent disinfection, UV-C light technology can enable health and care providers to phase out unnecessary single-use equipment and, ultimately, reduce their impact.


There is also real-world evidence to show UV-C disinfection requires fewer resources than traditional cleaning methods. A leading hospital in the south of England reports that it will save 1,000 litres of chemicals, 5,000 litres of water, one million watts of energy and 6,000kg of carbon every year aſter it became the first in the NHS to adopt UV-C technology to disinfect small endoscopes in its ENT department.


KEEPING INFECTION UNDER CONTROL


Many will have heard the term UV-C light but won’t necessarily know what it means or fully understand its potential in improving patient safety through infection control.


Put simply, UV-C technology uses non-contact and residue-free ultraviolet light to destroy the DNA or RNA of microorganisms – including bacteria, viruses and fungi. It does not produce any harmful by-products and, unlike chemical alternatives, doesn’t require special handling or pose potentially toxic risks.


This disinfection strategy also ensures a level of consistency that traditional methods – which are carried out by hand and come with the potential of human error – just can’t guarantee.


REDUCED BURDENS ON STAFF


It was last week reported that hospital waiting lists have risen for the first time in seven months, with an estimated 6.33


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million patients waiting for around 7.57m treatments at the end of April – patients have been waiting longer than 12 months in more than 300,000 of these cases.


No matter the outcome of the general election, the next government will be watched closely and judged harshly on how it addresses this growing challenge. Evolving disinfection strategies are one way we can help ease staffing challenges and ensure faster care for patients.


The NHS trust which has reported encouraging environmental benefits from its adoption of UV-C tech has also said the decontamination process has been shortened ‘considerably’ – down to just 60 seconds – which has increased capacity and, critically, ‘reduced waiting times for patients’.


It also says there has been a drastic cut in the number of endoscopes that need to be repaired as a result of damage from chemicals or transportation – reduced from nine per month to one in over six months – meaning fewer clinics need to be cancelled as a result of broken equipment.


SECURING A BRIGHTER


HEALTHCARE FUTURE Supporting the struggling healthcare sector is a complex issue and UV disinfection is, by no means, the silver bullet or fix- all solution – it is, however, one strategy that can be used to improve patient care and infection control while reducing the impact on the environment.


It also demonstrates to politicians and healthcare professionals that we must look to and embrace evolving technologies if we are to overcome the longstanding challenges that continue to plague the NHS.


www.uv-smart.com www.tomorrowscare.co.uk


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