Robots help Pontiac hospital reduce infection rates

St. Joseph Mercy Oakland uses new technology to eliminate pathogens in patient rooms, operating rooms and cardiac catheterization laboratories

By Healthcare Facilities Today


At St. Joseph Mercy Oakland in Pontiac, Mich., infection control has taken a space-age step with the acquisition of two robots that eliminate pathogens in patient rooms, operating rooms and cardiac catheterization laboratories, according to an article on the Crain's Detroit Business website.

The machines use pulsed xenon ultraviolet light that is 25,000 times more powerful than the sun to destroy harmful microscopic invaders, according to the article. A sign is placed outside the room warning people not to enter while the robot is in operation. If someone enters, a motion sensor on the robot automatically shuts off the machine. The whole process takes about 15 minutes. Currently, some 30 patient rooms are cleaned using the robots.

"One of the basic requirements in running a hospital is keeping patients safe," Jack Weiner, CEO of St. Joseph Mercy said in the article. "With hospital-acquired infections and the risk of resistant bugs to antibiotics — all the things that make hospitals a scary place to be — we are taking additional steps to clean rooms and make it as safe as possible."

Read the article.

 



December 9, 2013


Topic Area: Safety


Recent Posts

How Backup Power Needs Vary Across Healthcare Settings

Manufacturers discuss how evolving codes, technologies and care settings shape healthcare backup power strategies.


Flexible Design Strategies Help OhioHealth Maximize Clinical Space

Doing more with less was key to the renovated facility’s design.


New Bass Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases Opens

The new space not only offers more exam rooms but also features 15 private infusion bays to allow privacy for all patients and their caregivers during treatment.


Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Daytona Beach Opens

Hospital amenities include all private patient rooms, a spacious therapy gym featuring advanced rehabilitation technologies, an activities of daily living suite and more.


What Healthcare Facilities Can Learn from a $49 Million Window Failure

A major window system failure at the University of Iowa’s Children’s Hospital sparked a costly replacement project – and a $49.4 million arbitration win.


 
 


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.