Ultraviolet C Decontamination Devices in a Hospital Pharmacy: An Evaluation of Their Contribution

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic led to a major interest in ultraviolet C (UVC) disinfection devices and accelerated the implementation of UVC devices in healthcare facilities due to their proven efficacy in the inactivation of various pathogens. While UVC technology offers several advantages, some dr...

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Main Authors: Clara Baudart, Thomas Briot
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Pharmacy
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/13/1/9
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author Clara Baudart
Thomas Briot
author_facet Clara Baudart
Thomas Briot
author_sort Clara Baudart
collection DOAJ
description Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic led to a major interest in ultraviolet C (UVC) disinfection devices and accelerated the implementation of UVC devices in healthcare facilities due to their proven efficacy in the inactivation of various pathogens. While UVC technology offers several advantages, some drawbacks remain. This report, drawing on studies, guidelines, and practical experiences related to the use of UVC technology in healthcare settings, examines the efficacy, advantages, and drawbacks of UVC devices, and their applications in aseptic drug-compounding pharmaceutical units. Summary: Studies, guidelines, and practical experiences were selected. UVC technology offers advantages such as rapid disinfection, reduced reliance on chemical agents, minimal waste, and freedom from manual disinfection variability, making it particularly valuable for maintaining aseptic conditions in compounding environments. However, some drawbacks persist, as it is a germ-dependent method and there is currently no standardized method for ensuring effectiveness. Conclusions: This opinion paper highlights the effectiveness of UCV technology in pharmaceutical compounding units, proving that it is a viable alternative to the traditionally used manual and operator-dependent methods. However, there is a need for standardized methods to evaluate UVC devices.
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spelling doaj-art-fdff673c507b4f35a75aba1636abb96c2025-08-20T03:12:15ZengMDPI AGPharmacy2226-47872025-01-01131910.3390/pharmacy13010009Ultraviolet C Decontamination Devices in a Hospital Pharmacy: An Evaluation of Their ContributionClara Baudart0Thomas Briot1Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Hospitalier Nord, Pharmacy Department, 69317 Lyon, FranceHospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Hospitalier Nord, Pharmacy Department, 69317 Lyon, FrancePurpose: The COVID-19 pandemic led to a major interest in ultraviolet C (UVC) disinfection devices and accelerated the implementation of UVC devices in healthcare facilities due to their proven efficacy in the inactivation of various pathogens. While UVC technology offers several advantages, some drawbacks remain. This report, drawing on studies, guidelines, and practical experiences related to the use of UVC technology in healthcare settings, examines the efficacy, advantages, and drawbacks of UVC devices, and their applications in aseptic drug-compounding pharmaceutical units. Summary: Studies, guidelines, and practical experiences were selected. UVC technology offers advantages such as rapid disinfection, reduced reliance on chemical agents, minimal waste, and freedom from manual disinfection variability, making it particularly valuable for maintaining aseptic conditions in compounding environments. However, some drawbacks persist, as it is a germ-dependent method and there is currently no standardized method for ensuring effectiveness. Conclusions: This opinion paper highlights the effectiveness of UCV technology in pharmaceutical compounding units, proving that it is a viable alternative to the traditionally used manual and operator-dependent methods. However, there is a need for standardized methods to evaluate UVC devices.https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/13/1/9microbial decontaminationUVCdrug compoundingdisinfection methodsaseptic preparationsrisk management
spellingShingle Clara Baudart
Thomas Briot
Ultraviolet C Decontamination Devices in a Hospital Pharmacy: An Evaluation of Their Contribution
Pharmacy
microbial decontamination
UVC
drug compounding
disinfection methods
aseptic preparations
risk management
title Ultraviolet C Decontamination Devices in a Hospital Pharmacy: An Evaluation of Their Contribution
title_full Ultraviolet C Decontamination Devices in a Hospital Pharmacy: An Evaluation of Their Contribution
title_fullStr Ultraviolet C Decontamination Devices in a Hospital Pharmacy: An Evaluation of Their Contribution
title_full_unstemmed Ultraviolet C Decontamination Devices in a Hospital Pharmacy: An Evaluation of Their Contribution
title_short Ultraviolet C Decontamination Devices in a Hospital Pharmacy: An Evaluation of Their Contribution
title_sort ultraviolet c decontamination devices in a hospital pharmacy an evaluation of their contribution
topic microbial decontamination
UVC
drug compounding
disinfection methods
aseptic preparations
risk management
url https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/13/1/9
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