New Results Show Mercy Health is Making a Breakthrough in Reducing C. Diff
(CINCINNATI; June 19, 2012) – Mercy Health, which provides quality care with compassion in your neighborhood, is reporting excellent results in reducing-healthcare associated infections (HAI), such as C. Diff, since implementing new technology that uses ultra violet light to eliminate harmful bacteria.
HAIs are on the rise and are an issue in hospitals across the U.S. – patients’ immune systems are often compromised and there is the potential for more germs and bacteria that can cause infections. The culprit is invisible, hard-to-kill bacteria that can lead to dangerous infections. These bugs are particularly tricky since they can survive hard surfaces like a counter, a phone or a handrail, making it difficult to reach every “nook and cranny” through traditional room cleaning and disinfecting.
But the risk of an HAI has dropped significantly at Mercy Health – Anderson Hospital, thanks to the latest high-tech weapon on the hospital’s disinfection team, IRiS™, which stands for Intelligent Room Sterilization. It is also affectionately known by hospital staff as the ‘Germinator.’ Last summer, Mercy Health became the first organization in Greater Cincinnati to invest in the new device, which is on wheels and can easily be moved from room to room. While it is environmentally friendly, it generates such a high level of ultra violet light that it has to be turned on remotely; no one can be in the room when the light is activated. The IRS technology allows the device to scan the patient room in real time and identify all areas and surfaces to be disinfected. (Note – Our ICU rooms have glass walls that allow you to easily videotape or photograph this technology in action).
Now, results indicate the light show really works. “We are seeing a steady decrease in the incidence of C. Diff, VRE (Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci) and other harmful bacteria that can really impact patients,” said Kathy Puthoff, RN, infection control nurse at Anderson Hospital. She reports that C. Diff dropped 32% from July – December 2010 to July – December 2011 and VRE is down 83% during the same period.
With results like this, IRiS is now being put to work at Mercy Health – Clermont Hospital, which recently invested in the new technology. “We already do a tremendous job of reducing the risk of infection to our patients, but we want to do everything we can to provide an even safer environment for our patients,” said Gayle Heintzelman, site administrator at Clermont Hospital. “The results clearly show that this system makes a difference.”
Mercy Health was assisted in making the purchase from Infection Prevention Technologies by the Greater Cincinnati Health Council and by Medline, the exclusive distributor of IRS technology. "The Health Council negotiated this contract for our hospital and long-term care members as part of our continued effort to assist them in enhancing patient safety," said Rick Delewski, vice president of business development for the Greater Cincinnati Health Council. "We are excited to continue to introduce this new technology to our members - as it represents a cutting-edge, proven approach to help prevent healthcare-associated infections.
IRiS is one of many advanced systems Mercy Health uses to continue to keep its patients safe from HAIs throughout its network of care. Mercy Health is among the top 20% of health systems nationwide, according to Thomson Reuters’ Top Health Systems study
IRiS is manufactured in Michigan by Infection Prevention Technologies, Inc. and exclusively distributed in North America by Medline Industries, Inc., based in Mundelein, Ill.
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