Pathogens survive routine disinfection. Solution: Harness the power of UV-C!

/ / Published in wolfe-en
Robot mobil de dezinfecție UV-C wolfe.ro | wolfe.ro mobile UV-C disinfection robot
The risk of microbial contamination on hospital surfaces is a well-known factor in the spread of healthcare-associated infections, also known as nosocomial infections. This has led to strict disinfection procedures established to ensure the safety of patients and healthcare staff primarily.
However, as demonstrated by a recent study, it is possible that current optimal disinfection procedures in medical units may no longer be sufficient to prevent the spread of pathogens, especially concerning surfaces exposed to frequent traffic from patients, staff, collaborators, or visitors.

Hospital-acquired infections, a major concern

A recent study published in the American Journal of Infection Control reports the presence of microbial contamination – including potentially pathogenic bacteria – on heavily utilized hospital surfaces, despite adherence to recommended disinfection protocols. The findings pose a new challenge regarding persistent efforts to reduce healthcare-associated infections (nosocomial infections) and suggest that innovative strategies may be necessary for more effective disinfection of these surfaces.

The study was conducted at the Central Texas Veterans Healthcare System, where researchers collected samples from 400 surfaces within the healthcare facility (2022). They focused on high-touch surfaces such as resuscitation mannequins, mobile workstations, break room tables, bed rails, and medical assistant computer keyboards. It was found that all these surfaces harbored various types of bacteria.

In total, 60 different types of bacteria were identified in all samples, including 18 well-known human pathogens and a number of bacteria that can become pathogenic to humans under certain circumstances. The most common types of known pathogenic bacteria included Enterococcus, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella aerogenes, among others. Some of the potentially pathogenic bacteria were associated with bloodstream infections, meningitis, and endocarditis. Approximately half of the identified bacteria were also found in clinical samples collected from patients throughout the year 2022.

The study’s authors note that the results should give healthcare professionals pause, as they demonstrate that pathogen infections persist despite rigorous attention to disinfection practices. The study clearly demonstrates the biological burden associated with hospital surfaces. The results indicate that conventional disinfection methods, no matter how rigorous, are often outdated and ineffective.

UV Light Robots, Efficient Anywhere

Therefore, a solution to these problems would be the development of more efficient disinfection protocols and strategies to prevent the spread of dangerous organisms and better protect patients and healthcare staff. One real and effective solution proposed by specialists is the use of germicidal UV lamps for surface sterilization. Their ability to inactivate a wide range of microorganisms, including those causing nosocomial infections, has proven highly effective in destroying the DNA/RNA of these pathogens, rendering them incapable of reproducing.

UV-C devices can be strategically installed to target high-touch surfaces such as bed rails, door handles, and tables, and not only that! However, much more efficient are mobile and autonomous UV-C light disinfection robots: due to their ability to disinfect both surfaces and air. These devices can play a crucial role in reducing the spread of microbial contamination; they can be programmed to enter rooms in the medical facility after manual cleaning procedures and significantly improve disinfection rates.

Autonomous UV-C light disinfection robots rely on sensors to detect movement and stop if there are people nearby. The devices follow their predetermined path for disinfection through rooms or hallways and can find their way back to charging stations on their own. Essentially, they operate without the need for human presence – being efficient not only in terms of the disinfection process but also in terms of staffing costs

How do we choose such devices? Is it possible to achieve nearly zero infection rate?

Choosing a UV light disinfection robot is an important decision, and a variety of features and brands must be considered. It’s crucial to identify specific needs and thoroughly research to find the most suitable robot for the spaces we need to disinfect. There are several key factors to consider when comparing and selecting different brands of UV light disinfection robots. These include the number of tubes, the lifespan of UVC lamps, UVC irradiance, and the control mode (via a dedicated platform, application, etc.).

It’s important to note that new technologies, such as using a UV-C light disinfection device, involve more than simply flipping a switch. At the same time, we shouldn’t be intimidated and believe that it’s overly complicated and that we won’t be able to use these products.

CoBOT Ultra, the most powerful disinfection robot in the world, is designed and manufactured in Romania by Wolf-e Robotics, boasting the highest installed power on a disinfection device, leading to very rapid disinfection cycles with 25% higher efficiency compared to conventional chemical disinfection methods. The device operates in short disinfection cycles, using 10 high-quality 325W UV-C Philips sources that do not generate ozone, with a wavelength of 253.7nm. This results in a total power of 3250W and a lifespan of 12,000 hours.

Comparison: CoBOT Ultra is nearly twice as powerful as SteriPro and over 2.25 times more powerful than the UVD. Additionally, the UV lamps used in manufacturing this system do not produce ozone.

 

UV-C Robots Made in Romania

A few years ago, UV disinfection robots were highly costly and extremely hard to procure, but now the solution is within reach: Wolf-e Robotics, the first Romanian company specialized in designing and manufacturing smart systems and mobile autonomous robots for air and surface disinfection and filtration, can provide a complete range of autonomous devices customized to the needs of each user.

Benefits of choosing Wolf-e Robotics autonomous robots:

  • Efficient and safe disinfection: UV-C systems eliminate 99.9% of microorganisms, ensuring a safer environment for patients, staff, and visitors.
  • Customized solutions: a wide range of equipment suitable for various objectives, from mobile devices for quick disinfection of small rooms to integrated and autonomous systems for complete disinfection of large buildings.
  • Advanced technology: the latest UV-C technology to ensure optimal performance.
  • Cost-effectiveness: UV-C disinfection is a cost-effective long-term solution, reducing costs associated with nosocomial infections and improving staff productivity.
  • Environmental protection: UV-C technology does not use harmful chemicals and does not contribute to environmental pollution.
  • Romanian production: Wolf-e Robotics is a Romanian company contributing to the development of cutting-edge medical technology.

With a strong focus on innovation and quality, Wolf-e Robotics contributes to ensuring a clean and safe environment for communities. Air and surface disinfection devices are used by companies and organizations in Romania, across various sectors, within public and private partnerships.

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We are Wolf-e Robotics, and every day we work to support our mission of disinfecting the air and surfaces in the places where we work, learn, and spend our time. Through disinfection with intelligent UVC light equipment and mobile robots, we provide the most efficient and environmentally friendly method of inactivating microorganisms on surfaces and in the air. With applicability in the medical, commercial, transportation, education, and corporate sectors.

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