As of the recent past, UV black lights were really only available in the fluorescent bar design.  Many infection preventionists likely still have their bar lights tucked away in their kits; not knowing whether the bar will light up or not. UV black lights can be that unreliable sometimes.  Many of the previous bar lights also sit stored away since replacement bulbs could not be found or were too expensive to justify.

LED has revolutionized the lighting industry, but has it successfully provided a functional alternative to the black light bar models?  OUTFOX says yes. The following is a comparison of the two black light designs and how you can use either and both during fluorescent infection control trainings

UV Black Light Bars

• -Cover more space
• -Really only effective in low light situations
• -Bulbs have relatively short life
• -Bulbs are expensive
• -UV bulbs are difficult to find
• -Difficult to ship without having a large percentage handled too rough to function
• -Require a power cord or many batteries to operate
• -Lights can often be placed flat so that the instructor can demonstrate hands-free lessons

UV Black Light LED Flashlights

• -Spot shooters
  
  (concentrated UV light), even effective in lighted areas
• -Concentrated stream of light for better accuracy
• -Aren't effective for lighting entire rooms (whereas bar lights can)
• -LED UV Lights have longer lasting bulbs
• -Convenient hand-held sizes
• -Clip-on designs allow placement to be attached on most surfaces or areas (Bar designs were really effective for Disclosure Centers; however, the clip on LED UV lights have remedied that concern)

Bar lights were especially useful with Disclosure Centers (Disclosure Centers are black boxes that allow infection control instructors to
teach hand washing and germ simulation in a bright classroom since the light is shaded).

In addition, fluorescent bar black lights in Disclosure Centers were also preferred because the instructor could teach and demonstrate hands-free since the light was mounted in the black box.  However, an alternative LED UV Light that snaps on to Disclosure Centers now can be used.  This has been an attractive solution to many infection control teachers; for, we have seen an increase of the SpotShooter sales.

OUTFOX Prevention's Recommendation

Ideally, an infection preventionist or other individual in charge of fluorescent simulations should have both types of lights. There are many situations where both types of UV black lights serve a purpose, but there is a clear choice for us.  We believe that because of LED's durability that it should be the UV black light of choice. In addition, the added ability of LED to highlight the fluorescent simulation germs in daylight or a lighted room has many instructors smiling.

Need ideas for fluorescent trainings and germ simulations?

The following are the top 20 ways to use Glo Germ or Glitterbug with your UV black light (or see full article link for Top 20 Glo Germ User Ideas here):

Top 20 Glo Germ User Ideas

1. Hand Washing Training with Fluorescent Glo Gel
2. Glove Removal Testing with Fluorescent Powder
3. Testing Glove Efficiency with Glo Gel
4. Glove Replacement Reminder
5. Gown Removal Testing
6. Gown Replacement Reminder
7. Privacy Curtain Disease Testing
8. Environmental Cleaning Orientation
9. Environmental Cleaning Verification
10. General Hygiene Lessons
11. Teaching “Staying Home From Work” Concept Lessons
12. Teach Food Safety
13. Training Classes for Medical Professions.
14. Product Reviews and Trainings
15. Product Comparisons
16. Emergency Situations
17. Teach Parents, Clients, Caregivers and Visitors Hygiene Standards
18. Conduct Community Demonstrations
19. Employee or Student Orientation
20. Clue Spray to Track Where Employees/Students Touch

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