Surface ATP change after 222-nm far-UVC in 29 healthcare facilities in Chile
Cambio de ATP superficial tras far-UVC de 222 nm en 29 centros sanitarios de Chile
MedETechni, Santiago, Chile
Available online since
Abstract
Objective. To estimate surface ATP change after environmental use of 222-nm far-UVC in Chile.
Methods. Uncontrolled multicentre before-and-after study: 31 facilities considered, 29 treated, and 437 paired surface readings. A 30-minute exposure was applied at an operating distance of 2.5 m, followed by a 10-minute wait before post-cycle measurement. ATP was measured with a 3M Clean-Trace LM1. Facility-level log ratios were combined using REML, with cluster bootstrap and sensitivity analyses.
Results. Median ATP decreased from 199 to 50 RLU. The combined reduction was 81.3% (95% CI 77.7–84.3%), with I²=84.3%. All 437 post-cycle readings were below baseline. Of 174 surfaces initially ≥250 RLU, 173 reached <250 (99.4%) and 145 reached <100 (83.3%).
Conclusions. The cohort documented an ATP decrease in all analyzed surfaces, with variation between facilities. Its contribution is a multicentre estimate of change in organic or biological residues after the intervention. The before-and-after design describes this temporal association without isolating the contribution of UVC or evaluating infection reduction.
Leer resumen en español
Objetivo. Estimar el cambio de ATP superficial tras la aplicación ambiental de Virgilio Rays de 222 nm en Chile.
Métodos. Estudio multicéntrico antes–después sin control concurrente; 31 centros considerados, 29 tratados y 437 pares de superficies. Se aplicaron 30 minutos de emisión a una distancia operativa de 2,5 m y una espera de 10 minutos antes de la medición posterior. El ATP se midió con 3M Clean-Trace LM1 y se analizó mediante síntesis REML por centro, bootstrap agrupado y análisis de sensibilidad.
Resultados. La mediana pasó de 199 a 50 RLU; reducción combinada de 81,3% (IC95% 77,7–84,3%), I²=84,3%. Los 437 pares descendieron. De 174 superficies inicialmente ≥250 RLU, 173 alcanzaron <250 (99,4%) y 145 alcanzaron <100 (83,3%).
Conclusiones. La cohorte documentó un descenso de ATP en todas las superficies analizadas, con variación entre centros. La contribución es una estimación multicéntrica del cambio de residuos orgánicos o biológicos después de la intervención. El diseño antes–después describe esa asociación temporal, sin aislar la contribución de UVC ni evaluar reducción de infecciones.
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Editorial history
Acceptance reported by the journal owner: 8 October 2026. Attribution of that decision to the independent editor remains to be completed in the private record.
The full text is shared with the journal owner’s express authorization, recorded on 9 October 2026.
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Se utilizó inteligencia artificial generativa basada en un modelo de lenguaje, mediante Codex (OpenAI; modelo GPT-6.1 Sol), para preparar código de análisis, revisar la consistencia, redactar y maquetar documentos y figuras. El código y las fuentes permiten la comprobación; la revisión y la responsabilidad científica final corresponden a los autores.