A germ-fighting robot, called TRU-D, has been credited for dramatically lowering in-hospital infection rates at O’Connor Hospital.
TRU-D, less affectionately known as the Total Room Ultraviolet Disinfector, uses focused light to destroy germ and virus molecules–an intensified version of grandmother’s method of hanging linen on the line.
“This is cream of the crop,” said Suzanne Cistulli, director of infection prevention and control for the hospital. “We wanted to protect our patients.”
The powerful dose of UV ray emitted from the robot alters the DNA of germs and has now been deployed to Liberia to join the fight against the largest reported outbreak of Ebola in history.
At O’Connor, however, the biggest battle for TRU-D is a commonly hospital-born bug called C. Difficile. The infection from C. Difficile can cause extreme diarrhea in patients.
Rates in 2013 were approximately 14.3 cases per 10,000 patient days, according to Cistulli. Since TRU-D has been making its rounds in the hospital that number was lowered 2.18 cases in as many days.
Cistulli said the robot is wheeled around from room to room at the hospital as needed, but staff uses it as often as possible.
TRU-D, which studies have found to be more than 99.9 percent effective, was purchased by the hospital for about $120,000 using money from a donor.
“It’s definitely worth it,” said Cistulli.
