Infection prevention
modelling and patient experience data – would provide a valuable evidence base. With Health Innovation Yorkshire and Humber helping to coordinate implementation, MYT, with Ondine’s help, trained staff to deliver the treatment safely, integrated it with existing pre-operative pathways, and ensured that clinical teams had access to explicit educational materials. Patients were offered the treatment before surgery as part of routine preparation, in addition to the Trust’s existing standard regimen of octenidine nasal gel and chlorhexidine body wash. The question remained: would it make a measurable difference? The answer as to whether it would make a
measurable difference became clear after six months. MYT’s analysis revealed a 71.4% reduction in combined SSI rates in hip and knee replacement surgeries. The overall infection rate fell from 1.40% to 0.42% following Steriwave’s introduction. The largest improvements were seen in knee
replacements, where infections dropped from 2.3% to 0%, a statistically significant finding (p=0.014). Although hip replacement numbers were too low in the period to establish statistical significance, a downward trend was observed. These reductions occurred despite the fact
that photodisinfection was used in addition to, not instead of, the Trust’s existing decolonisation regimen – evidence that the technology may offer meaningful additive value. For Dr. Bond, the findings were encouraging: “It is great to see these results, which demonstrate an association with Steriwave and reduced SSI
rates in orthopaedic surgery, even when used alongside the current standard of care. It would be interesting to see the impact the technology might have when used to replace the existing standard of care, as well as in surgical specialties with higher baseline infection rates.” One of the clearest markers of success in the
pilot was the exceptionally positive feedback from both patients and staff. Surveys completed by 228 patients revealed:
l Overall experience: 4.6 / 5 l Pain-free procedure: 4.6 / 5 l Understanding that the treatment reduces infection risk: 4.7 / 5
l Willingness to undergo the procedure again: 4.7 / 5
Patients consistently described the treatment as quick, comfortable, and reassuring. Many appreciated receiving pre-operative information explaining the technology and why it was being used – a communication strategy introduced early in the pilot in response to patient feedback. Clinical staff also expressed strong satisfaction, with average scores across seven
How photodisinfection works
Photodisinfection (sometimes known as antimicrobial photodynamic therapy or ADPT) was originally developed at UCL. A positively charged photosensitiser – patented methylene blue-based compound - is applied to the area to be treated. This binds to the negatively charged surface
of the pathogens rather than the neutrally charged human cells. The treatment area is then illuminated at a specific wavelength of red light for a few minutes, activating the photosensitiser and putting it in an excited state.
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In this state, the photosensitiser engages in an electron transfer reaction that produces potent hydroxyl radicals and highly reactive singlet oxygen, which causes protein cross- linking and structural damage to the pathogens, resulting in immediate microbial death. These reactions are so rapid and the
oxidative stress so overwhelming that the pathogens are unable to resist or adapt. The host tissues experience minimal damage as they don’t take up the photosensitiser, and the singlet oxygen and free radicals are very
short-lived. This photosensitiser technology also modulates the host’s inflammation response. When the light is turned off, there is an immediate cessation of the anti-microbial activity. Steriwave has a CE mark for use in the EU
and is approved in Canada and several other countries, including the UK. In the US, it has received Qualified Infectious Disease Product designation and Fast Track status from the FDA and is currently undergoing clinical trials for US regulatory approval.
respondents ranging from 4.7 to 4.9 out of 5 for: l Training l Quality of the product l Ease of integrating Steriwave into workflows l Professionalism of supporting staff l Overall responsiveness from the technology provider
Nurses and healthcare assistants involved in the Enhanced Orthopaedic Service (EOS) reported 100% compliance with the procedure, noting that it “fit easily into existing pre-surgical workflows” and required minimal additional time. Alongside the real-world clinical data, YHEC
conducted a detailed health economic analysis using both micro-costing and literature-based approaches. The results point to significant potential savings for the NHS, depending on the surgical specialty.
Key findings from YHEC Across major surgical specialties (hips, knees, spinal, cardiac, vascular), key findings included: l Net saving of £38,180 per 1,000 patients (micro-costing)
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