WellStar Health System implements Xenex’s room disinfection system

WellStar Health System was the first to implement and is the only health system in metro-Atlanta using Xenex Healthcare Services' room disinfection system in its patient and operating rooms. A "green," mercury-free technology, the Xenex system is the fastest, safest and most effective method for the advanced cleaning of hospital rooms, scientifically proven to destroy all major classes of microorganisms that cause hospital acquired infections (HAIs), such as MRSA and Clostridium difficile (C. diff).

HAIs (also referred to as healthcare association infections), caused by deadly pathogens such as MRSA, C. diff, pneumonia and Acinetobacter, are the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Xenex's room disinfection system uses pulsed xenon technology to deliver high-intensity, broad spectrum ultraviolet light to quickly kill microorganisms on surfaces and in the air without contact or chemicals. The UV light penetrates the cell walls of microorganisms, essentially fusing their DNA, leading to instant damage, the inability to reproduce or mutate, and killing the organism. Uniquely designed for ease of use and portability, WellStar's environmental services staff operates the Xenex device without disrupting hospital operations. The system is capable of disinfecting a room in as little as five minutes and can disinfect over 30 rooms per day, so hospitals use the device continuously to reduce contamination levels throughout their facilities.

"Hospitals are constantly exposed to viruses and bacteria," said Marcia Delk, M.D., senior vice president, safety, quality and credentialing & chief quality officer for WellStar. "We want to ensure patient rooms are free from microorganisms that cause infections, and this new technology will provide the safest rooms for our patients and save lives."

Numerous hospitals that have implemented the Xenex room disinfection system have documented reductions in the presence of drug-resistant microorganisms and observed a return on investment through operational cost savings. In hospital trials, Xenex has consistently shown to be more than 20 times more effective than standard cleaning practices and a recent study performed at MD Anderson Cancer Center demonstrated that the Xenex system was more effective than bleach in reducing C. diff. in patient rooms.

"Innovative health care systems like WellStar are investing in Xenex's disinfection technology to make their patients safer," said Mark Stibich, Chief Scientific Officer of Xenex. "We have proven repeatedly that the science of our pulsed xenon light makes it incredibly effective against the most challenging bacteria, viruses and even C. diff spores. WellStar is taking patient protection to the next level while leading the healthcare industry toward a new and better standard of cleanliness and care."

"Our recent partnership with Xenex is another example of how our innovation program is providing real world benefits," said Delk. "We believe this new technology holds great promise for healthcare organizations as they address the problem of hospital acquired infections."