UV Lights Led to Slight Reduction in Nursing Home Infections: Study

Researchers found a small but significant decrease in respiratory infections among nursing home residents with the use of UV lights.

Data from a new study indicates using ultraviolet (UV) lights in common rooms helped reduce the number of respiratory infections among nursing home residents, which may provide an important signal to help manage the risk of these deadly infections among vulnerable individuals.

According to the findings published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine on July 28, implementing UV light methods can reduce infections by 12%, with researchers noting that the devices are affordable and easily integrated into existing healthcare settings.

Respiratory infections remain a serious threat for older adults, particularly in nursing homes, where residents are more likely to be hospitalized with severe pneumonia and face an increased risk of death.

To help reduce the spread of respiratory infections, some nursing homes have turned to UV light technology, which works by disrupting the DNA and RNA of bacteria and viruses, preventing them from replicating and rendering them inactive. 

Emitters are commonly used to disinfect high-touch surfaces like door handles and light switches in shared spaces and resident rooms. In some cases, UV radiation is also added to ventilation systems to sterilize air circulating between rooms.

A 2020 study found that 40% of nursing homes failed to meet basic infection control standards, highlighting long-standing weaknesses in the system. While the COVID-19 pandemic brought renewed attention to these shortcomings, many facilities continue to fall short in implementing effective infection prevention measures even years later.

In the new study, researchers led by Dr. Andrew P. Shoubridge conducted a randomized multicenter crossover clinical trial in four long-term care facilities in South Australia.

The nursing homes were divided equally into two zones of roughly 44 beds per group. One group received UV light treatment in the common areas for six weeks while the other did not. There was a two week wash out period then the groups switched. Researchers conducted seven consecutive cycles across a 110-week study period from August 2021 to November 2023.

Overall, the findings indicate 596 infections occurred over 211,952 bed-days. A total of 3.8 infections occurred in the UV light zone compared to 4.17 infections in the control zone. Control groups had 2.61 infections per week compared to 2.29 infections per week in the intervention group.

Researchers said the UV lights did not lead to a significant difference in respiratory infection rates within individual zones during each cycle. However, across all cycles, the total number of respiratory infections was 12.2% lower in zones where UV light was used to disinfect common areas.

They concluded it is important for nursing homes to consider adding UV lights to supplement current infection prevention practices. UV lights are often inexpensive and easy to install to existing facilities, the team noted.

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