by Shane Henson — December 16, 2013—University Health Shreveport has found an innovative way to advance patient safety with the use of Xenex Disinfection Services’ new germ-zapping pulse xenon UV room disinfection system.
According to Xenex Disinfection Services, the portable disinfection device uses pulsed xenon to deliver ultraviolet (UV) light that is 25,000 times more powerful than sunlight to destroy deadly bacteria, viruses, fungi and bacterial spores. The device is reportedly proven to destroy the most dangerous and hard-to-kill superbugs like Clostridium difficile (C. diff), norovirus, influenza and MRSA (antibiotic-resistant staph bacteria).
University Health Shreveport says its staff will be leveraging the system in addition to extensive cleaning services provided by the hospital’s environmental services team to make spaces safer for patients.
“University Health is committed to patient safety. Xenex is a high-level disinfection option that complements the strong disinfection program we already have in place,” said Dr. Kevin Sittig, chief medical officer at University Health Shreveport. “Bacteria that have become smart enough to grow on surfaces like computer keyboards cannot hide from this light. They will be destroyed by this new technology. We have zero tolerance for hospital-acquired infections and this Xenex robot helps us achieve our goal.”
A “green,” mercury-free technology, the Xenex system is the fastest, safest and most effective method for the advanced cleaning of hospital rooms, claims the company. In just five to 10 minutes, the device can disinfect high-risk patient areas, including operating rooms and equipment, patient rooms and bathrooms. The Xenex unit pulses UV light over high-touch surfaces where germs reside, destroying the deadly pathogens without leaving a chemical residue.
According to the company, published data shows that one U.S. hospital that currently uses the Xenex room disinfection system has reported a 53 percent decrease in C. diff infections.
