Healthcare lighting innovation: Overhead fixture uses UV to kill airborne pathogens

Designed specifically for hospitals, nursing homes, child care centers, and other healthcare facilities where infection control is a concern, the Arcalux Health Risk Management System (HRMS) is an energy-efficient lighting fixture that doubles as a germ-killing machine.

The fixture incorporates air circulation modules, a filter, and an ultraviolet germicidal irradiation module that together pull in surrounding indoor air and eliminate up to 99% of pathogens in a single pass. The system uses differential pressure and directional airflow to isolate and kill contaminants in the fixture. It's installed in the existing electrical infrastructure with no structural, HVAC, or duct modifications.

The patented device could save lives and healthcare institutions dollars by destroying disease-causing pathogens from air and reducing hospital-acquired infections (HAI). The Centers for Disease Control estimates that $45 billion is added to the annual healthcare costs to treat HAIs. They are the fourth major cause of death with an estimated 1.7 million patients contracting an HAI, resulting in 99,000 deaths each year.

American Green Technology, Inc. (AGT) announced at Lightfair last week that it has signed a licensing agreement with Arcalux Corporation to manufacture, market, and sell Arcalux HRMS and other products from the company, through AGT's agents.

"We're excited about introducing this new product," said Danny Bogar, chief executive office of AGT. "Virtually every day you read a story about how people are dying from airborne pathogens in hospitals - a place where you normally go to regain good health. The Arcalux product addresses these health concerns."

Rural hospitals present unique opportunities and challenges for healthcare facility operators. Oftentimes, the infrastructure and building systems have not been updated for years and require significant improvements in order to meet today’s modern medical demands. Additionally, as these smaller, more remote hospitals are acquired by larger regional and national healthcare systems, the first step by new ownership is often to update and rehabilitate the building. But how can this be done thoughtfully, economically, and efficiently in ways that allow the engineering and facility staff to adapt to the changes? And how can the updates accurately reflect the specific needs of rural communities and the afflictions with which these areas most commonly face?