Hospital Use of Black Light

Since hospitals are possible breeding grounds for disease and illness, maintaining sanitary conditions is essential for infection control. Hospitals use black-light technology to detect biological material left behind on surfaces and to promote proper handwashing habits among hospital staff.

Detecting Biological Material

Black light falls in a wavelength that is sensitive to picking up biological material such as blood and fingerprints. These bodily fluids will glow when directly exposed to black light. Through this black-light technology, environmental service workers can see what spots they have missed during cleaning and lab technicians can identify medical supplies that have been contaminated.

Handwashing Training

Proper handwashing techniques for hospital employees is also tracked by using black light. Employees apply a special fluorescent lotion to their hands, which under black light, showcases the effectiveness of their handwashing skills. Areas that are "contaminated" glow.

Considerations

Since black light is the longest wavelength in the ultraviolet spectrum, it possesses the lowest energy. Its low energy makes it weak, and so although black light may detect the presence of microorganisms, it will not kill them.

References

• High Field and Open MRI: Preventing Infection in Imaging
• Health Facilities Management: Low-Tech Cleaning Check Shows Results at Hospitals
• WHYY News and Information: Tracking Hospital Hand Washing
• MiniScience: Uses of Blacklight (Long Wave Ultraviolet Light)

Resources

• Infection Control Today: Ultraviolet Light