Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center in Sioux Falls, S.D., is the first healthcare facility in the state to implement Xenex Germ-Zapping robots.
Here are five observations:
1. The Xenex Germ-Zapping robots are able to destroy hard-to-kill superbugs, including those that cause hospital-acquired infections, within minutes by sending out intense pulses of UV light.
2. The goal of the robots is to have cleaner surfaces and areas, in order to help prevent hospital-acquired infections, which are often associated with complications and, in some cases, death.
3. Mary Leedom, assistant vice president of surgical services at Avera McKennan, said the pulsed xenon UV robots in other hospitals have reduced hospital-acquired infection rates significantly, and in some studies, by more than 50 percent.
4. The two robots will be used to disinfect operating rooms, the ambulatory surgery center, the ICU and the oncology transplant unit at Avera McKennan.
5. Avera McKennan is participating in a clinical research study with Xenex, the robot's manufacturer. The study will look at orthopedic infection rates at Avera and compare the rates to the previous 12 months to measure the decrease in infection rates.
