Ultraviolet light in the orthopaedic operating theatre.

This article looks at the physical aspects of Ultraviolet C light and the practical aspects encountered when setting up a UVC system in Winford Orthopaedic Hospital, Bristol for the purposes of a clinical trial to study the effect of UVC on bacterial load in the theatre air and in the wounds of patients undergoing total joint replacement. The results of that clinical trial will then be described followed by an outline of the problems encountered with using UVC.