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cases in the first quarter of last year. Given Cambridge's size, we're expected to
have no more than 3.5 cases in any quarter. In the quarters after we deployed
the UV robot, we've had 1 case, then 4 and then 2. Yes, we're doing remarkably
better.
The spike-and-drop story was even more dramatic at Whidden Hospital in
Everett, Mass. In the fourth quarter of 2013, we had 9 C. diff cases there; we're
expected to have no more than 3 per quarter. We've had 3 cases through nearly
a full quarter this year since we deployed the UV robot in November.
When it comes to C. diff, there can be many culprits. Perhaps improved hand
hygiene has played a part in the reduction. Use of any antibiotic can potentially
lead to C. diff disease. Increasing age, comorbidities, proton-pump inhibitors and
GI surgery are other risk factors. One thing I can say is that our patients are bene-
fiting from the UV disinfection systems. We routinely use UV disinfection after the
terminal clean in rooms where patients are on contact precautions. We prioritize
C. diff rooms, but also focus on MRSA and other multidrug-resistant organisms
(MDRO) that may persist on surfaces and pose an increased risk to the next
patient. We're excited that we've used this technology to enhance terminal room
cleaning in our ORs, too.
What studies have shown
A study we presented at last year's Association for Professionals in Infection
Control and
Epidemiology annual
meeting showed that the
pulsed UV room disinfec-
tion system reduced sur-
face contamination in the
OR by 81% and air con-
tamination by 46%.
My colleagues and I
evaluated the effects of
O R H Y G I E N E
MISSED A SPOT? It may look like a futuristic gadget from a science
fiction movie, but this germ-killing robot can kill harmful bacteria on
surfaces.
Peer Reviewed Proven Results:
53% Reduction in C.diff infections
1
57% Reduction in MRSA infection rates
2
O VRE recovered in isolation rooms
3
25% faster than chemical cleaning
4
Published Peer Reviewed Outcome Studies:
1. Cooley Dickinson in AJIC, 2. Cone Health System
in JIP, 3. M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in ICHE,
4. Study at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center presented
at VA National Symposium
No one wants to be sick twice.
Eliminating pathogens from patient rooms
is the quickest and easiest way to lower
the risk of additional infections. Hospitals
have reported lower-facility wide HAI
rates a!er implementing the Xenex system,
reducing costly readmissions and patient
stays they incur.
" Using a combination of tools and technologies,
including Xenex's room disinfection system,
we were able to reduce our MRSA infections
to zero in our ICUs and save more than $2 million."
– Terrance Akin, COO, Cone Health
THE!ONLY!PULSED"XENON"UV"DISINFECTION"SYSTEM#"PATENTED
xenex.com | 800-553-0069 | info@xenex.com
™
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