Augusta University Health uses robot to reduce hospital-acquired infections

Germs can live anywhere, which is why Augusta University Health has added a nearly 5-foot, canister-shaped robot to its housekeeping staff to help target and kill bacteria.

The Tru-D SmartUVC uses ultraviolet lights to disinfect and sterilize hospital rooms and other clinical areas to ensure a germ-free environment. This is accomplished by the robot measuring the proper dose of UVC energy that reaches the walls and other surfaces while being reflected back to the center of the room.

“We are serious about providing the best patient care as possible, and we view the Tru-D robot as an added layer of protection against infection for our patients, their families and even our staff during their time at our facility,” said Anthony Carter, first shift operations manager in Augusta University Medical Center’s Department of Environmental Services. “This technology can clean an entire room from a single location, and I am grateful we can offer this level of disinfection for our patients.”

About one in 25 patients in the United States contracts an infection related to hospital care and thousands die each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Since infections never take a day off, Tru-D is in use around the clock each day to lower the risk of contaminated surfaces in the medical center, clinical areas and the Children’s Hospital of Georgia. The robot takes up to 45 minutes to complete a cleaning cycle, which frees up time for the medical center’s environmental services team to begin cleaning other areas before bringing in the robot.

“Cleanliness is our priority, and Tru-D helps our team streamline our efforts in preparing the rooms for our patients,” said Lemon Streeter, a Tru-D technician in the medical center’s Department of Environmental Services. “I am pleased to know we are able to offer this infection prevention technology at our hospital to make sure our patients are being cared for in a germ-free space.”

Watch Streeter move the Tru-D SmartUVC from one room to another.