BJ Austin, KERA News

Hospital fights infections with ultraviolet light 'robot'

Texas Health Resources Southwest Fort Wort uses machine to kill bacteria in operating rooms

By Healthcare Facilities Today


The Centers for Disease Control says one of every 20 patients gets an infection during a hospital stay.  In Fort Worth, a hospital is fighting that problem with an ultraviolet light machine that looks like one of Luke Skywalker’s sidekicks, according to an article on the Kera News website.

 At Texas Health Resources Southwest Fort Worth, a small, boxy machine with a round head works daily in the operating rooms, using ultraviolet light to kill potentially dangerous microbes.

“We put this in the room, close the door and it gives a pulsated ultraviolet light that actually essentially ruptures the bacteria and viruses and kills them on the spot,” Kathy Rhodes, infection prevention coordinator said in the article.

The 3-foot tall machine raises its round head about two feet as it turns 360 degrees emitting the pulses of UV light: doing what’s called environmental cleaning.

Hospital or healthcare associated infections aren’t just in operating rooms. They’re in patient rooms, too. The Centers for Disease Control estimates more than 2 million people in the US each year get an infection while in the hospital, adding an estimated $15,000 per patient for treatment.

Read the article.

 

 

 

 

 

 



October 22, 2013


Topic Area: Environmental Services


Recent Posts

Frederick Health Hospital Faces 5 Lawsuits Following Ransomware Attack

The lawsuits accuse FHH of inadequate cybersecurity, poor breach notification and failing to protect patients from identity theft risks.


Arkansas Methodist Medical Center and Baptist Memorial Health Care to Merge

They have signed a non-binding letter of intent to complete a shared mission agreement to merge the two organizations.


Ground Broken on Intermountain Saratoga Springs Multi-Specialty Clinic

The clinic is scheduled to open and start seeing patients in the fall of 2026.


Electrical Fire Tests Resilience of Massachusetts Hospital

Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital used opportunity to renovate key systems and components and expand facility operations.


Bomb Threat Alleged at Illinois Hospital

The alleged suspect was taken into police custody, and the threat was determined to be unfounded.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.