It is estimated that by 2040, there will be three older adults for every two young people in Atlantic Canada, and as the population ages, there will be more people in long-term care facilities. That means there is a growing need to improve infection control measures at these facilities.
A new research project at Dalhousie University is examining whether UV-C lights can help reduce respiratory viral infections, particularly in older people.
READ MORE: A Northwood Halifax Facility Staff Member Tests Positive for COVID-19
“UV-C light is part of the spectrum of sunlight. It has been used as an airborne disinfectant for over a century, ”said Dr. Kenneth Rockwood, Principal Investigator and Professor of Geriatric Medicine at Dalhousie University.
But for a long time, Rockwood said, it was used as a mercury vapor lamp, and that light is toxic, causing more or less sunburns to the skin and eyes.
Now researchers have found wavelengths that can still kill viruses without negatively impacting people.
Lights have been installed in common areas of four units in Northwood and two units in Windsor Elms. Each of the two units in the facility will be equipped with UV-C lights and two units will have placebo lights that resemble UV-C lights.
“We are very interested in having started a controlled UV-C light trial to see if it is something else we can do to reduce the possibility of COVID infection or respiratory viral infections in general,” Rockwood said.
Registered nurses Ann Mann will be among those participating in the study.
“I think it’s a really positive sign for Northwood that we are participating in this groundbreaking research,” Mann said.
Mann will monitor residents in all four units every day for symptoms of COVID or any other viral infection.
“As part of the research, I don’t know which units are placebo and true UV-C lights, so all units receive the same treatment.”
The goal of the project is to determine whether and to what extent UV-C lights can reduce the risk of infection. Staff will carefully monitor when or how often new cases of respiratory viral infections occur.
“We are working with public health, with the QEII laboratories, and we hope to offer a highly scientific trial,” Rockwood said.
“It is innovative. iIt is being tested in a very responsible way and is an example of how in this part of the world we are really doing everything we can to make sure that we are very caring and compassionate in terms of what we offer. “
The lights were installed in early November. The study will run until the end of the flu season.
Reference-globalnews.ca