Forrest General Hospital Unveils Xenex LightStrike Germ-Zapping Robots

HATTIESBURG, Miss.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Forrest General Hospital today unveiled LightStrike™ Germ-Zapping Robots™ that are being used to destroy potentially lethal germs and bacteria that can pose a risk to patient and employee safety. Forrest General is the first hospital in south Mississippi to tap into a technology that uses pulsed xenon ultraviolet (UV) light to quickly destroy bacteria, viruses, mold, and other pathogens.

“We want to do everything within our means to provide a clean environment at our facilities to reduce the risk of infections. In addition to our regular cleaning and disinfecting schedules, we will be using this new technology to provide an additional measure of protection. That’s why new technology like the LightStrike disinfecting robot is so important,” said Melissa Mazer, MLS (ASCP)^CM , infection preventionist. “This investment underscores our commitment to patient care and the communities we serve.”

The four Xenex robots use Full Spectrum™ pulsed xenon UV light to quickly destroy bacteria, viruses, fungi, and bacterial spores. The portable disinfection system is effective against even the most dangerous pathogens, including Clostridium difficile (C.diff), norovirus, influenza, Ebola, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, better known as MRSA.

The portable Xenex system disinfects hospital rooms in five minute cycles without warm-up or cool-down times. Operated by the hospital cleaning staff, it can be used in any department and in any unit within a healthcare facility, including isolation rooms, operating rooms, general patient care rooms, contact precaution areas, emergency rooms, bathrooms and public spaces.

UV has been used for disinfection for decades. The Xenex LightStrike Germ-Zapping Robot is a new technology that utilizes pulsed xenon (not mercury bulbs) to create germicidal UV light. Pulsed xenon emits high intensity UVC light which penetrates the cell walls of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, mold, fungus and spores. Their DNA is fused, rendering them unable to reproduce or mutate, effectively killing them on surfaces without contact or chemicals. In fact, according to published peer reviewed outcome studies, hospitals have seen a 53% reduction rate in C.diff and a 57% reduction in MRSA infection rates. Another hospital reported a 100% elimination in Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) in isolation rooms after using the Xenex robot for room disinfection, and other facilities have experienced significant reductions in their Surgical Site Infection (SSI) rates.

In a news conference today, Forrest General also announced the kick-off to a robot naming contest. The contest is open to the public. Contest details and submission forms are available at forrestgeneral.com/nametherobots. The robots’ names will be announced on Wednesday, May 24.

Xenex Disinfection Services

Xenex’s patented Full Spectrum^TM pulsed xenon UV room disinfection system is used for the advanced disinfection of healthcare facilities. Due to its speed and ease of use, the Xenex system has proven to integrate smoothly into hospital cleaning operations. Xenex’s mission is to save lives and reduce suffering by destroying the deadly microorganisms that cause hospital acquired infections (HAIs). The company is backed by well-known investors that include Essex Woodlands, Piper Jaffray Merchant Services, Malin Corporation, Battery Ventures, Tectonic Ventures, Targeted Technology Fund II and RK Ventures. For more information, visit Xenex.com.