Metro Detroit Hospital Gets Germ Zapping Robots
PONTIAC (WWJ) - A Metro Detroit hospital has a powerful new weapon in the war against germs.
St. Joseph Mercy Oakland is the first hospital in Michigan to get two new germ zapping robots.
The Xenex robots are portable room disinfection devices that pulse ultraviolet light throughout patient rooms to rip viruses, bacteria and bacterial spores apart at the DNA level to destroy them.
St. Joe CEO Jack Weiner said the technology can cut the rates of infection caused by dangerous bacteria like C-diff and MRSA by up to 60 percent.
"When we came across this technology, we actually felt it was a major step forward in the overall safety program, especially on prevention of the spread of infections," said Weiner. "And so we made the investment because it was the right thing to do."
The two Xenex robots, "Shelby" and "Lexi", each cost over $100,000 — but treating just one patient for a C-Diff or MRSA infection can cost around $30,0000, so hospitals across the country say investing in the technology is money well spent.
