Phoenix VA deploys army of germ-zapping robots to enhance patient and employee safety

The Phoenix VA Health Care System is the first hospital in Arizona to deploy Xenex Germ-Zapping Robots to destroy deadly germs and bacteria lurking on hospital surfaces that can cause hospital acquired infections. The portable room disinfection system utilizes pulsed xenon UV light and is effective against even the most dangerous superbugs including MRSA, Clostridium difficile (C. diff), VRE, norovirus and influenza. Additionally, the robots have been proven effective against both the Ebola virus and Anthrax.

A live demonstration of the new Germ Zapping Robot was held on Wednesday, Sept. 14, at the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center in Phoenix for local media.  Ken Carter, Environmental Services Chief, was on hand to answer questions about the robot’s efficacy and usage.

Superbugs have become resistant to many antibiotics and cleaning chemicals. New weapons are needed in the battle against germs that can pose a risk to patients, employees and visitors. The Phoenix VA robots — named Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and Chief (dressed in their camouflage “uniforms”) – are used to quickly disinfect rooms inside the hospital, including ORs, ERs, patient rooms, ICUs, cath labs, restrooms and other public areas.

Designed to enhance the facility’s already-thorough processes for cleaning rooms and killing the germs that can cause infections, operating the Germ Zapping Robots is quick and easy. First the room, bed and equipment are disinfected by hospital Environmental Management Service staff. Once the room is visually clean, the robot comes in and destroys anything left behind – it kills all the dangerous bacteria the naked eye can’t see.

About the author: Paul Coupaud is a public affairs specialist for the Phoenix VA Health Care System.