Visium Far-UVC: A Breakthrough in Continuous Decontamination, Backed by VA Science

A new VA-led study, published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology (ICHE), reinforces that Far-UVC is an important adjunct to infection prevention modalities. Conducted in a simulated operating room with ceiling-mounted Visium Clear Optics fixtures, the study demonstrated reductions of 99% to 99.9% of MRSA at multiple sites after 4 to 16 hours of continuous operation, with measurable impact even in partially shaded areas.

This latest publication highlights what infection preventionists and environmental services leaders have long been seeking: a practical solution that fills the gap between manual cleaning cycles to help sustain a cleaner environment of care.

A Breakthrough in Infection Prevention

The VA has been evaluating Far-UVC technology across multiple care settings for several years, steadily building the scientific evidence base. This latest study, A ceiling-mounted far-ultraviolet-C light technology reduces methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus contamination on surfaces in a simulated operating room, conducted with Visium devices, adds even more weight to the case for continuous Far-UVC.

Unlike traditional UV-C (254nm), which has been used for over a century for disinfection but can only be operated in unoccupied spaces due to safety concerns, Far-UVC (222nm) operates at a shorter wavelength that cannot penetrate the outer dead layer of human skin or the tear layer of the eye. This makes it uniquely suited for safe, continuous use in occupied environments—providing the same germicidal benefits of traditional UV-C, without the associated safety limitations.

Far-UVC is proving to be the missing link in infection prevention protocols. It is a technology that addresses both surfaces and air in real time, can be used safely in occupied spaces, is delivered through an installed and autonomous solution, requires no added labor, and has demonstrated peer-reviewed efficacy.

Growing evidence also shows why this matters. A recent Clinical Infectious Diseases study by Sansom et al. demonstrated that high-touch surfaces in patient areas can become re-contaminated with multidrug-resistant organisms—including Candida auris and MRSA—within just four hours after cleaning. Continuous technologies like Visium Far-UVC help address this challenge by maintaining cleaner environments of care between manual and terminal cleaning cycles.