Mackwell Health have introduced a new, innovative range of UV-C disinfection solutions that can disinfect a wide range of semi-critical, re-usable medical devices. The range, known collectively as Whitebox HD2, comprises three sizes of machine: Microbox HD2, Minibox HD2, and Tallbox HD2.
The devices use the latest generation of all solid-state UV-C LEDs, in combination with highly efficient reflector materials that are ‘tuned’ to maximise reflectivity at germicidal UV-C wavelengths. They are completely free of toxic mercury, with extended lifetimes of up to 75000 disinfection cycles, no need for lamp replacement, and free of the risk of lamp breakage and mercury contamination.
The devices are the first in the world of their type to undergo efficacy testing to the BS8628:2022 high level disinfection standard for UV-C surface disinfection equipment, and have been shown to meet the demanding requirements of this standard. Additionally, several ’real-world’ evidence studies have ben undertaken showing the efficacy of the disinfection process on real medical devices, along with the materials compatibility of the devices with the UV-C germicidal radiation.
This new solution is set to revolutionise the re-use of medical devices in healthcare, meaning that devices that were previously single-use can be conveniently and practically transitioned to re-usable alternatives, with complete patient safety assured via the evidence that has been obtained. As an example, a full process is now established for re-using anaesthesia masks, which when rolled out across the NHS will remove 160 Tonnes of plastic from the waste stream, and save 900 Tonnes of CO2(eq) annually.
The technology also provides an automated point-of-care high-level disinfection solution for existing re-usable semi-critical devices that are currently dependent upon manual wipes, allowing compliance with the ISO 17664-1 reprocessing standard and thus increasing patient safety.