Ultraviolet disinfection of air and surfaces in military medical organizations

Introduction. Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) pose a serious threat to patients, leading to increased morbidity, mortality, and significant economic losses. In Europe alone, over 4 million cases of HAIs are recorded annually, while experts estimate that the actual number in Russia may be 50 times higher than official statistics. Particularly dangerous are bacteria of the ESKAPE group, which are highly virulent and resistant to antibiotics and account for approximately 70–75% of HAI pathogens in Russia.

Various preventive measures are used to combat HAIs, among which air and surface disinfection plays a key role. One effective modern method is ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, which utilizes the bactericidal action of UV radiation.

Objective. The study was conducted at military medical facilities to evaluate the effectiveness of domestic UV irradiators and recirculators.

Materials and Methods. The study evaluated various equipment models, conducted microbiological monitoring of air and surfaces, and monitored ozone concentrations.

Results. The results demonstrated the high effectiveness of UV recirculators in reducing total microbial counts (TMC) in the air, as well as in inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus. The use of open-type UV irradiators also demonstrated a significant reduction in TMC in the air and effective surface disinfection, including against resistant bacterial strains. The studies confirmed the equipment's compliance with technical requirements and its safety, showing that ozone concentrations do not exceed established standards.

Conclusion. Therefore, UV recirculators are recommended for rooms with high air quality requirements (operating rooms, intensive care units), while irradiators are recommended for disinfecting surfaces and air in smaller spaces. The combined use of UV methods in conjunction with other disinfection measures effectively reduces the risk of HAIs in healthcare facilities.

Contribution:
Mukhachev I.S. — writing the article, responsible for the integrity of all parts of the article, and approval of the final version;
Shorokhov T.A. — conducting the research, writing the article, and editing;
Kildyashev M.A. — conducting the research;
Volynkov I.O. — conducting the research, writing the article.
All co-authors — integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.

Funding source. This study was not supported by any external sources of funding.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no apparent or potential conflicts of interest related to the publication of this article.

Received: 07.07.2025 / Accepted: 26.10.2025 / Published: 10.12.2025

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