P-254. The Effect of Disinfection with 222-nm Ultraviolet C on Surfaces Contaminated with <i>Clostridioides difficile</i> and Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci in the Bathrooms of Isolation Patients

Abstract Background Contaminated environmental surfaces are important sources of transmission for healthcare-associated pathogens, including Clostridioides difficile (CD) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). Toilet surfaces are easily contaminated by pathogens excreted in stools. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of a 222-nm ultraviolet C (UVC) disinfection device, Care222®, for removing bacterial contamination in the bathrooms of isolated patients. Methods This study was conducted in the rooms of five patients diagnosed with C. difficile infection and in the rooms of five patients colonized with VRE. The Care222® device is mounted on a mobile cart and fixed at a 45-degree downward angle. The Care222® emission window was placed 1 m from the farthest end of the toilet seat and at a height of 1.1 m from the floor. At this position, UVC irradiation was performed for 45 min at a total 222-nm UVC fluence of 27 mJ/cm2. Before and after UVC irradiation, samples were collected from the toilet seat and control panel of the electric warm-water bidet toilet seat, in each room, and colony-forming units (CFUs) were determined. Results Disinfection with 222-nm UVC resulted in a significant decrease in the number of CD CFUs compared to the number of CFUs before disinfection (Median CFUs (range), 8 (0–51) vs. 1 (0-5), P=0.004). It also resulted in a significant decrease in the number of VRE CFUs compared to the number of CFUs before disinfection (Median CFUs (range), 7 (1–32) vs. 1 (0-3), P=0.001). Conclusion The disinfection with the 222-nm UVC device significantly reduced CD and VRE surface contamination in the bathrooms of isolated patients. Further studies are required to investigate the effectiveness of 222-nm UVC disinfection for reducing environmental pathogen contamination. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures