Lewis County General Hospital announced that it is the first hospital in the North Country to use the Xenex LightStrike germ-zapping robot to destroy deadly pathogens and bacteria lurking on hospital surfaces that can cause hospital acquired infections.
The Xenex robot, affectionately named Hector by LCGH team members, uses Full Spectrum pulsed xenn ultraviolet (UV) light to quickly destroy bacteria, viruses, fungi and bacterial spores.
The portable disinfection system is effective against even the most dangerous pathogens, including Clostridium difficile (C.diff), norovirus, influenza, Ebola and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, better known as MRSA.
“We want to do everything within our means to provide a clean environment at our facilities to reduce the risk of hospital acquired infections,” said Michele Prince, Lewis County General Hospital Interim CEO.
“LCGH has long been recognized as a leader in medical technology and quality care, so it’s only fitting that we should employ the same level of technological innovation when it comes to removing the pathogens that can cause these infections. One hospital acquired infection is one too many, so we are excited to begin using the Xenex system to help us achieve our goal of zero infections.”
UV has been used for disinfection for decades. The Xenex LightStrike™ Germ-Zapping Robot is a new technology that utilizes pulsed xenon (not mercury bulbs) to create germicidal UV light. Pulsed xenon emits high intensity UVC light which penetrates the cell walls of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, mold, fungus and spores.
Their DNA is fused, rendering them unable to reproduce or mutate, effectively killing them on surfaces without contact or chemicals.
The portable Xenex system can disinfect a typical patient or procedure room in four or five minute cycles (depending on the robot model) without warm-up or cool-down times.
It can be used in any department and in any unit within a healthcare facility, including isolation rooms, operating rooms, general patient care rooms, contact precaution areas, emergency rooms, bathrooms and public spaces.
“This investment is important and underscores our commitment to patient care and the communities we serve,” Mrs. Prince said.
The Xenex pulsed xenon UV disinfection system has been credited by healthcare facilities across the U.S. for helping them reduce their infection rates significantly.