Feb 21 2013
Her nickname is "Trudi," and she's a 5-foot-5 germ-killing ultraviolet robot battling one of the worst seasons for flu and related illnesses in recent memory.
Tru-D Disinfection Robot. (PRNewsFoto/Tru-D LLC)
Technically, TRU-D SmartUVC™ − short for Total Room Ultraviolet Disinfector − is a mobile, automated germ-killing robot being used in Canada for the first time to enhance patient outcomes. It's the signature product of Memphis-based Lumalier, the recognized leader in advanced UV germicidal air disinfection products used across many industries, including health care.
"We're always on a mission to find new and improved ways to protect our patients from superbugs," said Tiffany Akins , spokeswoman of Vancouver General Hospital, where the robot made its Canadian debut. "Using UV light disinfection devices could help contain outbreaks."
Every year, there are approximately 300 to 400 reported outbreaks of norovirus in Canada, and between 2,000 and 8,000 Canadians die of the flu and its complications, according to Canada's Public Health Agency. Many people who suffer from flu-like symptoms visit the hospital for treatment, putting other patients and hospital staff at risk.
TRU-D recently arrived at VGH as part of a pilot project for mobile disinfection robots. In addition to influenza and norovirus, the robot's microscopic foes include Clostridium difficile (C. diff), Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other bacteria. Based on published independent reviews, TRU-D is considered to be one of the more advanced disinfection machines on the market because of its automation, intuitive nature and ability to precisely gauge room size and treatment time necessary for complete disinfection.
TRU-D is currently making the rounds with VGH housekeepers to patient rooms, as well as the bronchoscopy, endoscopy and surgical suites. The machine is fully automated to eliminate human error. After a staff member cleans the room using traditional methods, TRU-D is rolled into the room to "finish the job." The machine is turned on from outside the room using a handheld remote. Its patented Sensor360™ technology instantly analyzes the unique contents, shape and size of the room, then floods the targeted space (including shadows) with the proper amount of germicidal energy from the UVC lamps that run up and down its shaft. TRU-D spends whatever time is necessary (usually 20 to 35 minutes) to confidently eliminate infectious germs from contaminated surfaces before shutting down and audibly notifying the operator that disinfection is complete.
ARAMARK Healthcare, Vancouver Coastal Health's contracted cleaning company, is training VGH's staff to operate the machines.
"After extensive research and due diligence, we selected TRU-D for its proven performance, ability to destroy targeted pathogens with repeatable outcomes and consistency in doing so while eliminating human error," said Dave Carpenter, president of ARAMARK Healthcare.
Although new to Canada, more than 100 TRU-Ds have been deployed to disinfect hospitals across the U.S. Facilities currently using the TRU-D include the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago and UNC Health Care.
"TRU-D SmartUVC can achieve 99.99 percent disinfection of all virus and bacteria," said Bob Taylor , sales director of TRU-D LLC. "Germicidal light energy generated by TRU-D modifies the DNA structure of an infectious cell so that it cannot reproduce, and a cell that cannot reproduce cannot colonize and cannot harm us. It's certainly breakthrough technology that will ultimately enhance patient care."