Reid Health in Richmond, Ind., has added three germ-killing robots to fight the coronavirus in COVID-19 patients’ rooms, according to an article on the WLFI website.
Reid has had one robot since 2017, but recently added three more to disinfect surgery and inpatient rooms.
The robots are used to sterilize every room after a COVID-19 patient is released. Utilizing the robots to supplement normal cleaning procedures “adds an extra layer of protection for our patients, visitors and staff, according to Kim Schneider, a registered nurse with Reid infection control.
Xenon ultraviolet light disinfects rooms without leaving chemical residue or toxic fumes, and health systems using the technology report significant decreases in infection rates.
Similar robots have also been used to stop the spread of Candida Auris. Chambersburg Hospital in Chambersburg, Pa., says it can use cleaning robots to curb spread of of the fungus should an infected patient come for for treatment, according to a Herald Media article.
Chambersburg Hospital has used UV robots since 2017 in the final step of the cleaning process after the environmental services staff has thoroughly cleaned a patient room.
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