Jackson Hospital | Partners | Spring 2020

jackson.org 7 COMMUNITY TAGLINE HERE If you thought robots were only a thing of the future, you haven’t heard of Tru-D: a robot that emits ultraviolet light energy to disinfect an entire room at the push of a button. Tru-D delivers a precise dose of light to effectively dis- infect both patient rooms and operating rooms, helping to eliminate human error and destroy pathogens. Tru-D is the only disinfection system used by healthcare facilities that has undergone randomized clinical trials to measure effectiveness. A major clinical trial funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that this robot is capable of reducing the transmission of healthcare-associated infections, or HAIs, by up to 30% and can fight deadly pathogens such as C. diff and MRSA. What is ultraviolet C light? Tru-D uses UVC light, which is a form of light that is invisible to the human eye. Most of us have heard of UVC light coming from the sun’s rays, but very little actually reaches Earth. Because UVC wavelengths are between 200 and 300 nanometers, they are known as germicidal and can inactivate bacteria, viruses and protozoa. The UVC light used by Tru-D uses short-wavelength ultraviolet radiation, which is the only known wavelength capable of killing microorganisms. How does Tru-D work? Tru-D uses Sensor360 technology, which allows the robot to calculate variables within the room, such as size, layout and location of equipment in the room, to deliver a precise amount of UVC light from one single location in the room. The UVC light touches all walls and sur- faces within a room and is then reflected back to the center of the room to reach every single surface. Why is Tru-D important? Healthcare-associated infections are infections that patients might receive while in a healthcare environment. HAIs are the most common form of prevent- able hospital complications in the United States. Although the elderly, the immu- nocompromised, and young children have the highest risk for contracting an HAI, other risks include long hospital stays or overuse of antibiotics. Proper handwash- ing and cleaning of surfaces is known to help prevent HAIs, which is why Tru-D plays an important role in the cleaning process. The Tru-D difference How Jackson Hospital’s disinfecting robot helps keep you safe PATIENT PROTECTION