University Animal Laboratory Expands to Clinical Disinfection

Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University - a leader in interdisciplinary healthcare education, research, and training - expands its use of SteraMist iHP decontamination technology from its vivarium animal research laboratory to clinical areas.

Systems: SteraPak, Environment System
Use Sites: Vivarium, Clinical Areas

In academic health sciences and biomedicine, maintaining infection control across sterile environments ensures research integrity, personnel safety, and seamless operations. Achieving that sterility, however, can be difficult even for the most specialized pharmaceutical decontamination solutions. Some may excel at achieving reductions but require long downtimes. Others may provide a short turnaround at the expense of surface and material integrity. Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University, faced this reality when seeking to address resistant pathogens in their vivarium and animal research laboratory spaces, ultimately discovering SteraMist iHP decontamination.

Elevating Clinical Disinfection Standards

Having found value in SteraMist decontamination after successfully controlling their vivarium animal research laboratory spaces with the Environment System, the original team proceeded to advocate for the deployment of SteraMist ionized Hydrogen Peroxide (iHP) into additional areas, such as their clinical areas. As a result, the SteraPak was the ideal system for quickly and comprehensively treating spaces.

Years later, the primary application of SteraMist evolved beyond its original purpose of fogging animal research laboratory spaces. While iHP is still relied on to deliver exceptional contamination control for the vivarium animal research laboratory use, clinical areas are now treated weekly and as needed by a dedicated team of four trained personnel. Treatments are scheduled six months in advance to ensure seamless operations.

The shift ultimately transformed disinfection from basic surface cleaning to a proactive, high-efficacy process. Where little beyond manual solid-surface disinfection had previously occurred, SteraMist now delivers exceptional value through broad-spectrum, no-touch decontamination that reaches complex surfaces and hard-to-access areas.

Vivarium & Clinical Space Challenges

Since adopting SteraMist decontamination, Virginia Health Sciences at ODU has effectively resolved two critical issues:

• Vivarium animal research laboratory operations experience significantly fewer interruptions as on-demand treatments rapidly eliminate resistant organisms and restore confidence in the environment.
• Clinical spaces now receive consistent, regular decontamination via iHP, raising overall infection control standards and maintaining critical sterile spaces. The introduction of the SteraPak further streamlined the process, making disinfection faster and more accessible for staff.

SteraMist decontamination meets elevated standards beyond traditional methods, outperforming other technologies that carry notable drawbacks. SteraMist ionized Hydrogen Peroxide has allowed Old Dominion University to safeguard research continuity, enhance personnel safety, and support continued innovation in healthcare education and delivery.

"We were able to respond to concerns quickly and effectively, without significant disruptions to operations. SteraMist has raised our infection control standards, maintaining cleaner laboratories and vivaria." - Director, Environmental Health & Safety, Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University

About Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University

Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University, represents a transformative integration of Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) and ODU, creating the Commonwealth of Virginia's largest portfolio of health sciences programs. Comprising multiple colleges and schools, the institution drives interdisciplinary education, cutting-edge research, and comprehensive clinical training to produce skilled healthcare professionals and address regional health needs.