Ambulance Disinfection Using UV Light

As the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare professionals are taking unprecedented steps to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Ambulance services in particular, are at the forefront of this effort as they transport patients from one location to another. However, the confined spaces of ambulances can be breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses, posing a significant risk to both patients and medical staff. To mitigate this risk, ambulance services are turning to a new tool in their cleaning arsenal: UV-C light disinfection devices. In this article, we will explore the reasons why ambulances are adding UV light disinfection, how it works, our favorite UV-C device for ambulances, and why you are missing out if you aren’t incorporating this tech.

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Table of Contents

• The Importance of Ambulance Disinfection
• Limitations of Traditional Disinfection Methods
• Introduction to UV Light Disinfection
• Our Favorite UV-C Light for Ambulances: UV222 UV-C Vehicle Cleaning System
• Success Stories of UV-C Disinfection for Ambulances 
• Why You’re Missing Out by Not Using This Tech
• The Future of Ambulance Disinfection
• Bottom Line

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The Importance of Ambulance Disinfection

The importance of ambulance disinfection cannot be overstated. Ambulances transport patients who are sick or injured, and they often come into contact with bodily fluids and other potentially infectious materials. If an ambulance is not properly disinfected, it can create an environment conducive to the growth and spread of bacteria and viruses, which can then spread to other patients, healthcare workers, and even the general public.

Limitations of Traditional Disinfection Methods

Traditional disinfection methods, such as chemical sprays and wipes, can be effective at killing pathogens, but they are not perfect. Some pathogens may be resistant to certain chemicals, making it difficult to achieve complete disinfection. Furthermore, people can be unsuccessful at completely disinfecting an area when cleaning due to human error, improper technique, lack of visibility, or inadequate cleaning tools. As a result, there is a growing need for more advanced disinfection technologies that can provide better protection against infectious diseases.

Introduction to UV Light Disinfection

Ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection has gained widespread attention in recent years as a powerful tool in the fight against infectious diseases. Among the different types of UV light, UV-C light has shown particular promise as an effective method of disinfection. It works by damaging the genetic material of bacteria and viruses, rendering them unable to reproduce and infect. Far UV-C light has been used for decades in various applications, including hospitals, public transportation, food processing plants, and water treatment facilities. 

UV-C light with a wavelength of 222 nanometers (nm) is generally considered safe for humans because it is unable to penetrate the outermost layer of the skin or the eye's cornea. 222 nm UV-C light can be used around humans in occupied spaces. 

Learn More: Shine a Light on Cleanliness: The Power of UV-C Disinfection Explained

Our Favorite UV-C Light for Ambulances: UV222 UV-C Vehicle Cleaning System

i222™ UV-C Vehicle Cleaning System View Product

Effective

• Uses 222 nm Far UV-C light to eliminate over 90% of pathogens in upper vehicle air in just 30 seconds!
• An effective solution for reducing air and surface infections in occupied transportation systems such as ambulances, buses, and trains. It is safe to use around people!
• Has 3 modes of operation: Always on (24-7-365), Timed (e.g., Mon-Fri 7 am To 7 pm) or Motion Sensed (Units either switch on when the PIR motion sensor detects movement or switch off when movement is detected). 

Safety

• Built-in Ushio Care222 filtered lamp ensures that only safe wavelengths of light are emitted onto surfaces and into the air, which means that there are not any health risks to humans when used. 
• Utilizes LIDAR technology to measure the distance to surfaces and adjust the UV-C dosage according to occupancy; this ensures that it always operates within ACGIH Threshold Limit Values (TLV), which refers to the levels of airborne chemical substances that are deemed safe for nearly all workers to be repeatedly exposed to day after day over a working lifetime, without experiencing adverse effects. 
• Is in compliance with the following: ISO 15858 (permissible human exposure), IEC 62471 (photobiological safety of lamps and lamp systems), IEC PAS 63313 ED1 (UV-C safety guidelines), and ACGIH® (Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices for chemical substances and physical agents).

Maintenance

• Comes with a 2-year/17,500-hour warranty, making it a reliable choice for protecting EMS employees and patients from the risk of infection.
• Every two years the lamp module needs to be replaced, and a warning light will remind you when it’s time. That is the only part that will ever need to be replaced, and we stock those bulbs!
• No diagnostic tests ever need to be conducted.

Easy Peasy

• When you order a device from us, the manufacturer will call you to go through a list of questions to ascertain the best setup for your needs. 
• Manufacturer will also configure your choice of mode operation (always on, timed, or motion sensed). 
• No training is required to operate the device.
• Shipped ready to be installed either by their facilities team or an electrical contractor.
• Runs off a standard 12V electrical supply from the vehicle electrics.
• Zero noise.

Success Stories of UV-C Disinfection for Ambulances 

• William Shannon Weeks, a fire engineer, shared that Frazer, a disinfection technology provider, recently installed UV-C lamps in 18 EMS vehicles for the San Antonio Fire Department. The department was in search of a better way to decontaminate emergency vehicles from everyday viruses and more serious ones such as Ebola. The need for improved disinfection was highlighted during the Ebola outbreak in Dallas, Texas, where one EMS vehicle transported 10 patients before being completely disinfected. The UV-C light was identified as a reliable solution that can reach all areas of the vehicle. 
• To combat the spread of coronavirus, a Saginaw-based ambulance service has taken proactive measures. Mobile Medical Response has purchased two prototype ultraviolet C lights from a local vendor to disinfect their ambulances using high-tech methods. These lights have been successfully utilized in their fleet, and MMR has ordered seven additional units from US Lighting. Jason MacDonald, the vice president of operations for MMR, believes that this technology will help keep their staff, patients, and communities as safe as possible. 

Why You’re Missing Out by Not Using This Tech

EMS professionals operate in a high-risk industry, where they face dangers such as emergency driving, physical assaults, and lifting patients on a daily basis. However, there are also hidden risks that they must contend with. One such hazard is exposure to invisible superbugs like MRSA, which often go unnoticed and can result in prolonged hospital stays, amputations, and severe damage to internal organs.

Besides the health implications, employee infections also result in financial costs that affect the productivity and staffing of EMS agencies and healthcare providers. The average compensation claim for an infected worker costs up to $20,000, which is a significant financial burden. To address this issue, EMS agencies can opt for UV-C light disinfection devices, a technology that emits human-safe UV-C light to disinfect surfaces and the air. Sounds pricey, right? Well, the cost to equip an EMS vehicle with this tech is under $3,000. 

Learn More: The Safety of UV-C Light: What You Need to Know

The Future of Ambulance Disinfection

The future of ambulance disinfection using UV-C light disinfection appears promising, with ongoing research and development focused on improving and expanding the use of this technology. As the need for effective disinfection methods continues to grow, advancements in UV-C light sources and delivery systems are being developed to increase efficiency and safety. For example, autonomous UV-C light disinfection robots, like the Lytbot, are being developed and tested for use in healthcare settings. As awareness of the benefits of UV-C light disinfection continues to grow, it is likely that its use in ambulance disinfection and other healthcare settings will become increasingly common.

Learn More: The History of UV Light Disinfectant (A Journey through History and Science)

Bottom Line

UV light disinfection has been used in healthcare for over a decade. It is an effective way to disinfect certain surfaces and kill certain pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and mold. 

Many hospitals and emergency services have already upgraded their disinfection systems to include UV light. While these lights are not intended to replace standard cleaning procedures, they are a valuable addition to keeping staff, patients, and communities as safe as possible. With the ongoing threat of infectious diseases, it is likely that the use of UV light disinfection technology will continue to expand in the ambulance industry and beyond.

The UV222 UV-C Vehicle Cleaning System by Med Solutions is our favorite UV-C Disinfection Light for ambulances. This light is specifically designed to be installed inside of ambulances, and its specific wavelength ensures that it’s safe for humans to be around.