Doctors use flexible endoscopes every day to examine areas such as the nose and throat. After each examination, these instruments require thorough disinfection to prevent bacteria from spreading between patients. The standard disinfection method is effective but requires considerable time, water and money.
This thesis investigated whether UV-C light could provide a suitable alternative. UV-C light inactivates bacteria and disinfects an endoscope in only 60 seconds. Research conducted in several hospitals showed that UV-C light is at least as effective as the standard method. It is also less expensive and considerably more sustainable: its carbon footprint per disinfection is approximately 58% lower, while requiring very little water.
These findings show that UV-C light offers a fast, effective, less expensive and more sustainable way to safely reuse these endoscopes. The research also contributed to an update of the Dutch national guideline, which now recognizes UV-C light as an accepted disinfection method.
About the PhD candidate
Yana Halmans (1995) studied Medicine at Maastricht University. After graduating, she worked in the Intensive Care Unit at HMC. In 2021, she joined the ENT department at Radboud university medical center and started her PhD research. She is currently in her third year of residency training in ENT at Radboud university medical center.