"Cleaning and disinfection plays a crucial role in infection prevention and with pathogens such as C. difficile able to survive on surfaces for months at a time, we felt it was important to implement even more comprehensive cleaning procedures as part of our daily and discharge cleaning practices," said Calloway. "We've found that the Clorox Healthcare Optimum-UV System provides an effective, high-quality and easy to use solution that has helped achieve reductions to our already low infection rates."

The adoption of the UV device has not only shown initial reductions in infection rates, but also gives patients and staff peace of mind that their safety is what is most important to CVMC.

About Catawba Valley Medical Center
Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC) in Hickory, NC, is the region's largest not-for-profit, public healthcare system serving the community without direct funding from taxes. CVMC provides and promotes physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being in addition to serving as a center for health education, wellness, preventive medicine and acute care. CVMC received a fourth consecutive Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center in 2014 and is accredited by the American College of Surgeons as a Comprehensive Community Cancer Center. WomenCertified® has recognized CVMC with Women's Choice Awards for America's Best 100 Hospitals for Patient Experience in 2012, 2013 & 2014; Best Hospital for Patient Experience in Obstetrics in 2013, 2014 & 2015; America's Best Hospitals in Orthopedics in 2013 & 2014; and America's Best Hospitals in Cancer Care in 2014. CVMC received the 2013, 2014 & 2016 Premier Inc. QUEST® Award for High-Value Healthcare recognizing its reduction in harm, mortality, readmissions and costs and improvements in metrics for patient experience and evidence-based care. For more information, please visit http://www.catawbavalleymedical.org.

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