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Medical Equipment: Irradiation

Answer

The Rapid Review Panel (RRP) has reviewed 28 technologies which utilise ultra-violet light. All of these technologies are air purification systems. From these 28 products:"two were awarded a recommendation 2 (basic research and development has been completed and the product may have potential value; in use evaluations/trials are now needed in an national health service clinical setting);""10 received a recommendation 3 (a potentially useful new concept but insufficiently validated; more research and development is required before it is ready for evaluation in practice);""seven received a recommendation 4 (not a significant improvement on equipment/materials/products already available which claim to contribute to reducing health care associated infection; no further consideration needed, or unlikely to contribute to the reduction of health care associated infection; no further consideration needed);""eight received a recommendation 5(insufficient clarity/evidence presented to enable full review of the product); and""one received a recommendation 6 (an already well established product that does not merit further consideration by the panel)."Further information can be found on the RRP's website at:"www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics__az/rapid_review/default.htm"Unless a technology is awarded a recommendation 1 from the RRP and considered to be clinically effective, the Department does not undertake assessments of cost effectiveness or, of the benefits involved in introducing such technology.Research has shown that ultra-violet disinfection can be valuable in certain circumstances to reduce airborne bacteria.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

475 c1172-3W; 202442

Session

2007-08

Subjects

Medical equipment Irradiation

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk