Since the early 1970s American Ultraviolet® has provided healthcare professionals with 1,000+ effective ultraviolet germicidal UVC Operating Room packages that are available 24/7/365, and that, supported by valid documented reports, show how the ultraviolet lights help:
The unique OR Package uses permanently placed UV light disinfection fixtures, including a user-friendly touch screen controller, to provide more thorough whole room disinfection than mobile devices operating for the same amount of time - the OR Package can disinfect Operating Rooms in less than 10 minutes. In addition, the UVC OR Package from American Ultraviolet is the only UV solution that eradicates MDROs before, during, and after surgical procedures.
In 2016, American Ultraviolet decided to improve the OR Package, paying particular attention to the controls, and to a few other features that make the package a truly "intelligent" system.
Upgrades to the OR Package Include:
Designed to be used during Orthopedic procedures, and to improve terminal cleaning before or after any procedure, the new, more "intelligent" OR Package can be operated by existing EVS staff, so no additional staff is necessary, and no additional time will be lost trying to locate and move a mobile device to the operating room.
All American Ultraviolet UVC germicidal fixtures include motion + heat sensors, on-board lamp intensity monitors, high-efficiency electronic transformers, and 12,000-hour UVC lamps.
The OR-CCU is the brain of the American Ultraviolet Operating Room Package.
OR-SM-36 fixtures are direct UVC germicidal fixtures used for surface and wound site disinfection before, during, and after the procedure, making the American Ultraviolet OR Package
a very smart choice for Operating Room disinfection.
The advantage of using ceiling mounted ultraviolet light fixtures in the OR, rather than a mobile device, is that the fixtures can be spaced out to create a more consistent pattern of energy - more angles provides better coverage.
A typical installation will have 8-10 OR-SM-36 surface mounted fixtures on the ceiling:
The goal of this configuration is to lay down an even energy footprint that floods the room with UV disinfection light and eliminates, and minimizes, any shadowed areas. Mobile units currently on the market are limited in their energy footprint, and they also require multiple positions in order to have a similar impact.
OR-WM-36 UVC germicidal fixtures confine UVC rays to a narrow beam, directed across the upper portion of the room, for upper air treatment. Beam width and height are controlled with louvers that create a powerful, concentrated beam of germicidal UVC energy, resulting in maximum intensity and increased safety.
OR-DB fixtures confine UVC rays to a narrow beam, creating a "curtain" of energy in all doorways. Beam width and height are controlled with louvers that create a powerful, concentrated beam of germicidal UVC energy, resulting in maximum intensity and increased safety.
The NIST-traceable Radiometer is used to calibrate the proper level of UVC energy when fixtures are in use during a procedure; and to ensure overall proper system operation. The user simply positions the radiometer on the table, pushes a button on the controller - the system takes over and runs a full calibration cycle entirely by itself. All performance data, and energy levels, are recorded and stored on the hard drive inside the controller. When the procedure mode is selected the surface mount, or direct mount units will automatically emit the proper reduced level of energy; when the disinfection mode is selected all fixtures, including the direct units, ramp up to 100% of power in order to provide the highest intensity for the shortest cycle times. American Ultraviolet currently recommends to periodically perform a calibration cycle, which typically takes 10-15 minutes (no staff is required to be present during this time).
OR-SIGN safety signs that come with the OR Package are illuminated warning signs designed to alert personnel entering the operating theater that direct UV disinfection light is being used inside the room. Any time the UV fixtures in the room are energized, the warning sign(s) illuminate with a "CAUTION UV LIGHT ON" message.
In addition to this bold visual indicator, each and every UVC fixture in the room is an "intelligent" fixture with its own Motion + IR sensor. If any fixture were to "see" motion or sense heat in the space during a full disinfection cycle, all of the fixtures will immediately shut down, and the fault will be recorded as part of the data logging.
Full staff training from a qualified, experienced trainer about proper usage and maintenance is included with the American Ultraviolet OR Package. A comprehensive Operation & Maintenance Manual is also provided with each package. Though the OR Package is user-friendly, you can be certain we remain committed to making sure all of your users are comfortable with how to operate and maintain the OR Package
To learn more about the OR Package, and other healthcare products from American Ultraviolet that will help reduce the spread of HAI's and SSI's, please visit our technical library where you can download and print literature.
Reference 1. “Ultraviolet Radiation: Its Beneficial Effect On The Operating Room Environment And The Incidence of Deep Wound Infection Following Total Hip and Total Knee Arthropolasty.” J. Drennan Lowell, M.D., Ruth B. Kundsin, PH.D. (Full article available upon request).
Reference 2. “Ultraviolet Lighting During Orthopaedic Surgery and the Rate of Infection.” Merrill A. Ritter, Emily M. Olberding and Robert A. Malinzak. Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery 2007;89:1935-1940 doi:10.2106/JBJS.F.01037 ( Click here to review full article).
