Technology improves patient safety at MCCG

UV disinfection robot slays superbugs at Medical Center of Central Georgia

Infection control experts at The Medical Center of Central Georgia (MCCG) report the use of cutting-edge UV technology has been key in maintaining pathogen-free environments and improving overall patient safety.

MCCG has deployed an arsenal of devices called TRU-D SmartUVCTM – short for Total Room Ultraviolet Disinfectors – since 2010. Two of the hospital’s five devices are dedicated to operating rooms while the other three rotate among patient rooms. Hospital officials attribute the use of TRU-D, along with evidence based practices, to a significant decrease in the number of infections seen since the initial deployment of the technology, with a reduction in cases of MRSA, Acinetobacter and other superbug-related infections.

“By utilizing TRU-D in our disinfection efforts, we are able to thoroughly decontaminate the whole room. The UV light emitted by TRU-D kills antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including MRSA organisms, both on surfaces and in the air. When combined with appropriate hand hygiene and contact precautions, the TRU-D technology has proven effective in making our hospital safer for patients and ensuring that we are providing the highest level of patient care possible,” said Dr. Fady Wanna, Chief Medical Officer for MCCG.

TRU-D is an automated and intuitive system designed to complement a hospital’s comprehensive cleaning and disinfection program, eliminating the possibility of human error. After a hospital staff member cleans a room using traditional methods, TRU-D is rolled into the room to finish the job. From a single placement near the center of the room, TRU-D analyzes the unique contents, shape and size of the room, then floods the targeted space with the proper dose of germicidal energy necessary for complete disinfection of all surfaces in the room. Blanketing the room with ultraviolet rays, TRU-D kills bacteria, bacterial spores, and viruses.

“TRU-D SmartUVC can achieve 99.99 percent disinfection of bacteria and spores. A precisely measured dose of germicidal light modifies the DNA structure of an infectious cell so it cannot reproduce, and a cell that cannot reproduce cannot colonize and cannot harm us,” said Bob Taylor, sales director of TRU-D LLC.

Healthcare associated infections (HAIs) and the superbugs behind them have become a major challenge for today’s healthcare networks. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HAIs are tied to an estimated 99,000 deaths each year and represent an estimated $30 billion a year in medical costs. Healthcare providers have traditionally relied on manual cleaning alone to disinfect a patient room after discharge. However, studies have shown this type of cleaning is usually only 50 percent effective, leaving dangerous pathogens behind. TRU-D allows hospitals to confidently disinfect their patient environments, from ICUs and patient rooms to surgery suites, killing pathogens that compromise patient outcomes.

“We have experienced major savings due to the reduction in overall infections. We attribute the reduction in hospital associated infections to evidenced-based practice changes. High on the list of interventions is the judicial use of Tru-D on rooms that bed patients and a nightly rotation in the surgical suites,” said Nancy Osborn, RN and Manager of MCCG’s Prevention and Control Center.

Designed with safety in mind, TRU-D is equipped with sensors, signage and audible commands to protect operators and reduce the risk of UV exposure. The machine requires minimal labor to operate, making it financially feasible to proactively use around the clock. One machine may treat up to 48 rooms per day. TRU-D also removes human variables and errors inherent in room disinfection process, such as missed contaminated surfaces (ex. light switches) or improper timing of disinfecting chemical application.

TRU-D is the signature product of Lumalier – the recognized leader in advanced UV germicidal air and surface disinfection technologies used across many industries, including healthcare – and is the only portable UV disinfection system with Sensor360™ technology, which precisely measures reflected UV-C emissions and automatically calculates the pathogen-lethal UV dose required for disinfecting healthcare environments. With both ETL and UL safety ratings, TRU-D is proven to be a completely safe system. Results of TRU-D have been supported by multiple independent peer-reviewed studies conducted by leading authorities in infection control and epidemiology. There are currently more than 100 TRU-Ds deployed in hospitals and medical facilities across the U.S. and Canada.

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