WellStar Unveils New Tool to Enhance Patient Safety

WellStar Health System 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)," according to WellStar.

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. 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 insure patient rooms are free from microorganisms that cause infections, and this new technology will provide the safest rooms for our patients and save lives.”

In hospital trials, Xenex has consistently shown to be more than 20 times more effective than standard cleaning practices, according to WellStar. 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.

“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.”