Ultraviolet (UV) light can destroy pathogenic bacteria, including Clostridioides difficile spores, but, according to a recent study, measuring the effectiveness of UV can be difficult.

The study explored the effectiveness of portable pulsed-xenon UV disinfecting devices. The C. diff rates were measured before and after devices were installed, with no difference in C. diff contamination, according to an article on the Infection Control Today website.

The study also noted that it’s unclear how mitigating circumstances for the pulsed-xenon UV disinfection in the final stage of terminal room cleaning may have affected HA-CDI rates. 

According to the study’s author “even if microbe burden is decreased on surfaces that can be treated with UV, this in itself may not be sufficient to cut down C. difficile infection rates. The control of HA-CDI likely requires a multifaceted approach which includes not only maximal decontamination of the environment, but optimization of diverse factors from disinfection of medical equipment to antimicrobial stewardship.” 

Read the article.