By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Regional Medical Center has made a purchase in an effort to continue to reduce the rates of infection at the hospital.
"We've purchased three high-tech pieces of equipment," said Chuck Welch, Vice President and Chief Business Development Officer at Hutch Regional. "We purchased them from the Clorox company, which is actually a subsidiary of the Clorox company that everybody knows, the bleach. This is their healthcare division. They've developed a tower, if you will, of ultraviolet light. We purchased three of these. One is going to be dedicated in the operating room and the two will be out on the floors."
The ultraviolet light scrubs for things even hospital cleaning can miss.
"The ultraviolet light is in the room and it will attack and eliminate over 30 different types of bacteria and pathogens and further make that room less contaminant," Welch said.
The light can get places that soap and water can't.
"It's on wheels and it sits in the middle of the room and it, when the nurse turns it on, it will emit this light for about 5 to 10 minutes," Welch said. "You can wipe a countertop off, but if they get in cracks and crevices, they can hide, well, they can't hide from the light."
The rooms will still be cleaned manually and disinfected first before the light is put in multiple positions in the room to disinfect all surfaces.