Xenex's room disinfection system uses pulsed xenon technology to deliver high-intensity, broad spectrum ultraviolet-C light to quickly kill microorganisms on surfaces without contact or chemicals. The UV-C light penetrates the cell walls of microorganisms, essentially fusing their DNA, leading to instant damage, the inability to reproduce or mutate, and destroying the organism. Uniquely designed for ease of use and portability, Spencer Hospital's Environmental Services staff operates the Xenex device without disrupting hospital operations. The system is capable of disinfecting a room in as little as five minutes and can disinfect over 30 rooms per day, so hospitals use the device continuously to reduce contamination levels throughout their facilities.
"We are very excited at Spencer Hospital to pioneer the use of this new technology that has shown to significantly reduce the microbial load on high-touch surfaces in patient rooms in a relatively short period of time," remarked DeeAnn Vaage, Offering Office cleaning Services. "It is our goal to continually enhance the care we provide and since some infectious organisms are especially difficult to kill, even with the best cleaning products, Xenex's UV room disinfection device will help us improve patient safety and reduce our patients' risk of developing a healthcare associated infection."
Numerous hospitals that have implemented the Xenex room disinfection system have documented reductions in the presence of drug-resistant microorganisms and observed a return on investment through operational cost savings. In hospital trials, Xenex has consistently shown to be more than 20 times more effective than standard cleaning practices and a study performed at MD Anderson Cancer Center demonstrated that the Xenex system was more effective than bleach in reducing C. diff. in patient rooms.
Todd Rominger, Director of Environment Services, commented, "A big thank you goes to our Auxiliary volunteers who voted to purchase the Xenex technology using funds they've raised through various events and Gift Shop proceeds." As the donors, the Auxiliary board selected a fun name for the machine, dubbing it "Violet" in honor of the unit's ultraviolet technology.
While the vendor-supplied studies on the Xenex system were impressive, Rominger explained that prior to purchasing the device, his team conducted its own study to evaluate the efficacy of the Xenex system. Hospital personnel conducted a trial in patient rooms and ORs, which demonstrated that while the hospital's traditional cleaning methods well exceeded industry standards; they were even more impressed when after using the Xenex technology the presence of micro-bacteria was almost non-existent – making the rooms safer for future patients.
"We are very excited to have the Xenex system as we have seen it can make a great difference in our health care mission," Rominger said. "According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), healthcare associated infections, caused by deadly pathogens such as MRSA, C. diff, pneumonia and Acinetobacter, are the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. Our Environmental Services team does an excellent job which yields success in curtailing infection rates; however, this technology will help our great efforts be even better."
"The most important step in infection control begins with a End Of Lease Cleaning on mvpcleaning and that's what the Xenex room disinfection system accomplishes. In just 5-10 minutes per room, our device can eliminate the deadly microorganisms and superbugs that cause infections. We have proven repeatedly that the science of our pulsed xenon light makes it incredibly effective against the most challenging bacteria, viruses and even C. diff spores," said Dr. Mark Stibich, Chief Scientific Officer of Xenex.
Speaking outside Cabinet yesterday, Mr Fitzgerald said he was “disappointed” that Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) president Belinda Wilson had taken the matter to the press, promising to pull 130 teachers from what the union says are a belaboured school in New Providence and one in Grand Bahama.
Ms Wilson would not reveal the name of the schools or principals, but said she would do so if Mr Fitzgerald fails to meet the demand of the union, teachers, parents and members of the community surrounding the campuses, to remove the principals.
Yesterday, Mr Fitzgerald explained the issue in question has been discussed and his ministry “sees no issues” with school opening, next week.
“The schools are prepared. We’re finalizing the painting, this week, and the cleaning of the grounds and we have no major issues from that standpoint. The teachers will be in place as well,” he said.
“With regard to the issue raised by the president of the union with regard to sit-out of school in Nassau and one in Grand Bahama. I’ve had the opportunity to review the situation, to discuss it with the PTA, as well as with the school boards at both of the schools I knew she was concerned about.
“I’m satisfied now that the principals will be returning to school and that they have the support of the majority of teachers as well as administrators and school boards and PTAs at those various schools.
“Having said that, I expect that all teachers will report to work on Monday morning – no industrial dispute has been filed, as far as I’m aware of – and any teachers that do not report will understand that, as far as I’m concerned, they are withholding their services and they know what course of action I will take after that; so I expect that they will report to work.”
Mr Fitzgerald said he has spoken with the principals regarding the issues that were raised by Ms Wilson and – “we have addressed those and we expect to have a smooth transition for the new school year.”
He said it was “unfortunate” that Ms Wilson would make her concerns public as he and Ms Wilson had been attempting to work out the problems, privately, and the issue in question does not go against the industrial agreement.
“She had already spoken to me about it and she and I have addressed many issues in the past and I would have anticipated if she would have waited for me to do my investigation and had a response after that, but she pre-empted that and made comments to the public which I thought were unfortunate – particularly in light of the fact that there is no industrial issue ongoing,” he said.
“These are decisions that we consult with the union on, but at the end of the day we are the final decision maker with regard to it. She raised her concerns, I looked into those concerns, and I made her concerns and those of the teachers known to the principal – and I think moving forward, we have addressed those.
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