As new and more infectious diseases arise, and hospital staff and budget resources are becoming more limited, the public and political pressure to reduce environmental impacts is increasing. These opposing factors open up a gap between sustainability and regulatory compliance.

Disinfection and reprocessing of medical devices between patients is just one of the many responsibilities that hospitals must meet. UV-C light has already proven to be effective for disinfection in many industries, such as water treatment, agriculture, HVAC systems, etc. This advanced technology requires far less energy, and minimal water and chemicals than traditional disinfection methods.

However, UV-C technology has not yet been regulated or standardized for high-level disinfection of semi-critical medical devices such as flexible ENT channel-less endoscopes, rigid ENT endoscopes, TEE probes, and ultrasound probes.

Challenges to UV-C Healthcare Disinfection

Because the technology is new, hospitals may be unsure about how to incorporate it into their current workflow without disrupting current disinfection practices. Staff may need strategies for convincing healthcare decision-makers to adopt UV-C solutions by ensuring that patient care won’t be compromised and that the devices selected are cost-effective and meet all current healthcare regulations and standards. 

And finally, staff must be trained in the use of this new technology to ensure that the equipment is completely disinfected.

All of these concerns and more have been addressed in a comprehensive new protocol, the Green Standard.

Introduction to the Green Standard

The Green Standard is a comprehensive approach to incorporating UV-C disinfection devices into a hospital’s current workflow. It presents a way to be both compliant and sustainable in healthcare with easy-to-follow steps for safe and sustainable UV-C integration.

Scope of the Green Standard

The Green Standard is designed for high-level disinfection of semi-critical devices, such as TEE probes and channel-less ENT endoscopes, It also addresses the disinfection of non-critical devices, such as stethoscopes and abdominal ultrasound probes.

The Standard is applicable to UV-C disinfection devices that are classified as medical devices Class IIa under the MDR and compliant with international safety and quality standards like the  EN-15883-4 and EN-14885:2018. 

The five critical challenges addressed by the Green Standard are:

Patient safety. The primary function of hospitals and healthcare facilities.

Waste reduction. Minimizing CO2 emissions, water waste and disposables reduces environmental impact and costs.

Workflow efficiency. Helping staff accomplish more in less time, in order to serve more patients.

Regulatory compliance. Meeting existing safety and quality standards.

Sustainability advocacy. Leading by example in healthcare sustainability.

What the Green Standard Includes

Guidelines

The Green Standard includes step-by-step guidelines and best practices for hospitals to follow to ensure efficient disinfection using UV-C light. 

Verification and validation document

This detailed document explains how UV-C disinfection technology works and describes the functionality, safety and efficacy of the technology in healthcare settings. It also provides validation data from laboratory and hospital tests, as well as compatibility tests and user feedback. This document serves as a reference for any medical professional considering the implementation of a UV-C device.

Accessories

The Green Standard includes essential UV-C disinfection accessories for pre-cleaning, transport, storage, cleaning, and track-and-trace.

Educational materials

The training and education materials in the Green Standard include print and digital documents, such as infographics, staff training slides, videos, posters, and product brochures designed to instruct on how to properly use UV-C disinfection devices 

Proven outcomes and adoption 

Hospitals on four continents have already implemented the Green Standard. Approved clinical data from these institutions shows amazing results, including enhanced patient safety and a streamlined workflow, which can free up 2.5 staff members per year per UV-C device. 

Furthermore, the use of UV-C devices for disinfection can significantly reduce water and chemical consumption, as well as CO2 emissions yearly by approximately 8.700 kg. And by saving on chemicals and disposables, UV-C devices cost up to 41% less. 

5 Steps for Implementing the Green Standard

First, recognize the need by identifying where UV-C technology can improve the disinfection/reprocessing of the medical devices in your healthcare facility. Second, inform and educate hospital staff and administration using the information provided in the Green Standard. This should help you gain approval by presenting the evidence-based benefits of UV-C technology to all stakeholders and decision-makers. 

Next, start a pilot program or visit a reference site. Select a demonstration device to see how it improves workflow or visit another hospital to learn how the device has been implemented. Finally, train and assess your staff in the safe and effective use of the UV-C device using the training materials that come with the device and in the Green Standard. Collect feedback from the pilot or demo program and adjust the process to ensure it fits your current workflow. 

For more information 

The Green Standard promotes excellence in care and sustainability and sets a new benchmark for sustainable healthcare disinfection with the help of UV-C light technology. By following the five steps for implementing the Standard, your facility can achieve safety and compliance along with your commitment to sustainability in the field of reprocessing and disinfection. 

For more information about the Green Standard visit: thegreenstandard.nl