Springfield Clinic Unveils Xenex Germ-Zapping Robot
Springfield Clinic announced it is the first ambulatory surgery center (ASC) in Illinois to use the Xenex Germ-Zapping Robot™ and is among the leading outpatient surgery centers in the country to incorporate the technology.
The Xenex robot, affectionately named Louie by the Springfield Clinic Infection Control Committee, uses Full Spectrum™ pulsed xenon ultraviolet (UV) light to quickly and safely destroy harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi and bacterial spores. The portable system is effective against even the most dangerous pathogens, including C. diff, influenza, Ebola and MRSA.
“Springfield Clinic is committed to delivering the highest quality health care,” said Mary Stewart, chief clinical officer. “By implementing the latest technology in infection control, we can keep our patients safer and improve the quality of their medical outcomes.”
Springfield Clinic’s state-of-the-art ASC has already achieved one of the lowest infection rates at less than one percent and earned the highest marks possible for quality and safety from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).
In addition to further improving safety, installation of the Xenex Germ-Zapping Robot is part of a program that permits Springfield Clinic’s surgeons to perform longer and more complex surgical cases where infection control is paramount.
“We expect to offer total shoulder and total knee replacement as an outpatient procedure within the next couple of months," said Stewart. "The Xenex device will enable us to more effectively disinfect the ORs, and we are excited to perform surgeries in the ASC that have been typically reserved for a hospital setting,” added Stewart.
The Xenex system can disinfect a typical admitting/recovery bay in five minute cycles without warm-up or cool-down times. Cycle times vary, depending on the size of the room, Springfield Clinic expects the disinfection of a large surgical/procedure suite to be completed in about 16 to 24 minutes.
The Xenex Germ-Zapping Robot has been tested and proven effective using independent lab verification on the most common, dangerous and difficult-to-treat microorganisms. Most importantly, the Xenex system has been credited by health care facilities across the U.S. for helping reduce their infection rates significantly.
Source: Xenex Disinfection Services
Vet IP Roundtable 2: Infection Control and Biosecurity Challenges in Veterinary Care
March 31st 2025Veterinary IPs highlight critical gaps in cleaning protocols, training, and biosecurity, stressing the urgent need for standardized, animal-specific infection prevention practices across diverse care settings.
Invisible, Indispensable: The Vital Role of AHRQ in Infection Prevention
March 25th 2025With health care systems under strain and infection preventionists being laid off nationwide, a little-known federal agency stands as a last line of defense against preventable patient harm. Yet the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is now facing devastating cuts—threatening decades of progress in patient safety.
From Shortages to Security: How Reusable Health Care Textiles Can Transform Infection Prevention
March 7th 2025Reusable health care textiles enhance infection prevention, reduce waste, and strengthen supply chains. Hygienically clean textiles offer a sustainable, cost-effective alternative to disposable PPE, ensuring patient safety and environmental responsibility.
