Xenex, based in San Antonio, Texas, created a mobile robot to kill harmful bacteria and viruses, according to Silicon Hills News.
Here are five things to know:
1. Each robot is able to disinfect 30 to 62 rooms per day.
2. To kill microorganisms, the robot extends its light tower and sends out ultraviolet rays that can terminates 99.9 percent of the germs on many hospital room surfaces.
3. Hospital-acquired infections are a primary concern for many hospitals. The CDC reports that on any given day, about one in 25 hospital patients has at least one HAI. More than 300 healthcare facilities are utilizing Xenex robots to combat infections.
4. Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, N.Y., published a study in July that showed Xenex robots helped reduced Clostridium difficile rates in its intensive care unit by 70 percent. Additionally, San Antonio-based Morningside Ministries at The Manor reported an almost 77 percent reduction in C. diff infections after they began utilizing a Xenex robot to disinfect rooms.
5. Customers can compare the infection rates of hospitals with Xenex robots through various websites, such as Hospitalcompare.hhs.gov.
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