JAMESTOWN, N.D. (JRMC) – Jamestown Regional Medical Center hopes a little good news will put smiles on faces while reducing the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
JRMC purchased its second Xenex LightStrike germ-zapping robot – and we need the public’s help to name it!
In 2018, the community helped pay for the first robot by donating $100,000 as part of the Giving Hearts Day fundraiser.
“As a thank you, we asked for the community’s help to name her. The result was “R.O.S.I.E.,” which stands for “Robot Offering Safe Ideal Environment,” said JRMC Foundation Director Lisa Jackson.
Bacteria and other germs are naturally found everywhere. Despite efforts to disinfect, superbugs like COVID, MRSA and C.diff are resistant to chemicals and common cleaning practices.
Each year, drug-resistant bacteria infect more than 2 million people nationwide and kill 23,000, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More than 1,800 North Dakotans have been hospitalized due to COVID-19 since March.
That is one of many reasons why JRMC invests in ways to enhance patient care and safety.
The robot pulses environmentally-friendly xenon ultraviolet (UV) light and destroys microscopic bacteria, viruses or other microorganisms. It is 99.9% effective in enhancing environmental cleanliness by destroying hard-to-kill superbugs in hard-to-clean places.
The use of R.O.S.I.E. has increased dramatically since the opening of the JRMC Cancer Center as well as the expansion of specialty care and because of the pandemic.
“Everyone that comes into the hospital – patients, families, staff – brings germs with them,” said Dane Grebel, JRMC Environmental Services Manager. “Some of these germs are resistant to even the best cleaning solutions and methods available. That is why JRMC invested in this technology. We want the best and safest place for our patients to receive care. R.O.S.I.E. and our second robot gives patients assurance that we are safer and cleaner”
JRMC purchased R.O.S.I.E. long before COVID-19; however, she needs help.
“Our environmental services and nursing crews use R.O.S.I.E. in every patient room at least twice between each patient,” Grebel said.
Following manual cleaning, R.O.S.I.E. can disinfect a typical patient or procedure room with her UV light in 10-15 minutes. R.O.S.I.E. is a tool for the hospital however, she does not replace any person or position at JRMC. The second robot will allow teams to clean more rooms faster.
Speed is important as COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the community.
To celebrate the newest Xenex robot to help R.O.S.I.E., JRMC asks children and adults to participate in a Name-The-Robot contest. More than 200 children from Jamestown and rural schools submitted coloring pages and suggestions for names in 2018. JRMC hopes they’ll do the same this year.
“We hope this germ-free contest will be a little fun after such a challenging year,” Jackson said. “The second robot arrived at a critical time when we are seeing an influx of patients with COVID-19 symptoms. We are so lucky to have such legendary care teams at JRMC and the financial support of the region to provide this level of care.”
As a destination for care in the state, JRMC offers the most up-to-date equipment in the region. The second robot is one example of many.
“JRMC is a leader in medical technology, so it’s only fitting that we acquire this solution to care for our patients. They deserve the best, whether it is a pandemic or not,” said Mike Delfs, JRMC President & CEO.
More than 400 healthcare facilities around the world use Xenex’s germ-zapping robots. Numerous healthcare facilities credit Xenex for helping them reduce their infection rates significantly. Several hospitals have published their C.diff, MRSA and surgical site infection rate reduction studies in peer-reviewed journals.
The Name-The-Robot contest is open through Dec. 4. Submit an entry at www.jrmcnd.com/name-that-robot. To learn how JRMC is keeping patients safe, visit www.jrmcnd.com/covid.
