In an attempt to bolster their infection prevention endeavors in patient care areas, Geisinger, a leading healthcare provider, has introduced cutting-edge ultraviolet (UV) disinfection devices across its hospital campuses. These innovative machines use UV light as a potent weapon for eradicating harmful pathogens, improving the safety standard of patient rooms, especially those previously occupied by individuals suffering from contagious diseases.
Emphasizing the magnitude of this strategic move, Dr. Mark Shelly, Medical Director of Infection Prevention at Geisinger, stated that deploying this advanced UV disinfection technology is pivotal in fortifying patient safety. He added that the introduction of these devices extends beyond adding new arsenal to their toolbox—it symbolizes the strengthening of their commitment to ensuring the highest level of safety and quality in patient care. This isn’t just about visible cleanliness; it’s about disinfecting the invisible – the germs that are susceptible to UV light – to prevent hospital-acquired infections. This move propels the organization further toward becoming a high-reliability institution where safety remains the foremost priority.
The UV disinfection technology comes with several striking features. It offers quick and effective room disinfection within 12 to 30 minutes, depending on room size. It’s powered by smart technology that tracks usage and auto-adjusts UV light levels to ensure extensive disinfection of even shadowed or hard-to-reach areas. For added safety, these devices are handled solely by trained Environmental Services technicians, and rooms are marked clearly during use to ensure safety. The technology is primarily used in rooms previously occupied by individuals suffering from contagious diseases.
Following successful integration trials at Geisinger Medical Center and Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, the healthcare provider is now launching 16 of these devices across its system. These UV disinfection devices are proven to be effective against an array of pathogens that ranges from Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE), to Influenza A, and Norovirus.
Championing value-based care, Geisinger serves an extensive 1.2 million urban and rural population across central and northeastern Pennsylvania. This non-profit system held by philanthropist Abigail Geisinger has grown to become one of the state’s largest employers with an economic impact of an estimated $16.8 billion on the state’s economy. As of 2024, Geisinger is associated with Risant Health to expand and expedite value-based care across the United States.