Xenex Germ-Zapping Robots Help Norman Regional Enhance Patient Safety

Norman Regional Health System in Norman, Okla. has four new team members who will help keep patients safe by disinfecting hospital surfaces – and they’ll do it all without hands! It’s the first health system in Norman to utilize Xenex Germ-Zapping Robots™, which have been credited by other healthcare facilities across the U.S. for helping them reduce their infection rates.

Norman Regional has four new pulsed xenon ultraviolet (UV) disinfection robots that will enhance patient safety by destroying the microorganisms that cause hospital acquired Infections (HAIs). These robots use UV light technology to quickly disinfect an enclosed space. The Germ-Zapping Robots emit a blast of UV light that kills bacteria and viruses in minutes within an enclosed area. Depending on the size of the room, the Xenex robots can disinfect in just 5 to 10 minutes. The germicidal UV light disinfects a variety of areas and surfaces including bedrails, tray tables, machines, monitors, keyboards and computers.

“The Xenex LightStrike™ no-touch disinfection system uses pulses of full spectrum UV light to fuse the DNA of organisms. Once the organism’s DNA is fused it can no longer replicate or mutate, and is no longer infectious,” said Clyde Brawner, director of environmental services at Norman Regional Health System.

Two robots will be stationed at Norman Regional Hospital and two will be at the Norman Regional HealthPlex. After a housekeeper has completed the process of cleaning a room which includes removing trash and wiping surfaces with a disinfectant, the robot will be wheeled into the room to begin its work. The robot uses intense bursts of UV light to disinfect high-touch areas in patient rooms and operating room suites.  It can also be used to disinfect other areas such as utility closets, waiting rooms and more.

“The UV robots are another way that Norman Regional is making patient safety a priority,” said Darin Smith, PharmD, vice president of quality and performance improvement. “It’s both important and necessary to have multiple methods of effective disinfection in our arsenal to protect patients, visitors, and healthcare staff.”

Source: Xenex Disinfection Services