Edinburg, TX — October 11, 2016 -- As hospitals across the nation look for new and innovative ways to battle deadly pathogens and kill multi-drug resistant organisms that can cause Hospital Acquired Infections, Doctors Hospital at Renaissance Health System (DHR) has taken a leap into the future with the installation of seven Germ-Zapping Robots™ that destroy hard-to-kill bugs in hard-to-clean places. DHR is the first hospital in the Rio Grande Valley to tap into a technology that uses pulsed xenon ultraviolet (UV) light to quickly destroy bacteria, viruses, mold and other pathogens.

From doctors and staff to patients and visitors, hundreds of people enter a hospital daily, unknowingly escorting a host of contaminants and germs on their person. Enterovirus D-68, C. diff, MRSA, VRE – an alphabet soup of deadly pathogens lurk in the very place people go to get healthy. In demonstration of its commitment to keep patients safe, DHR has taken an important step into the future to zap dangerous superbugs and stop the spread of healthcare associated infections (HAIs).

The seven Xenex robots at DHR use Full Spectrum™ pulsed xenon UV light to quickly destroy harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi and bacterial spores. The portable disinfection system is effective against even the most dangerous pathogens, including Clostridium difficile (C. diff), norovirus, influenza, Ebola and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, better known as MRSA.


"We aim to do everything possible to provide a clean environment at DHR to reduce the risk of hospital acquired infections," said Dr. Carlos Cardenas, DHR Chief Administrative Officer. "We have long been recognized as South Texas's leader in medical technology and highly specialized care, so it's only fitting that we should employ the same level of technological innovation when it comes to removing the pathogens that can cause infections."

Cardenas continues, "One hospital acquired infection is one too many, so we are excited to begin using the Xenex system to help us achieve our goal of zero infections. This investment is important and underscores our commitment to patient care and the communities we serve. Not only will these robots provide a cleaner environment for patients, but it also ensures an optimal environment for visitors and our employees."

The Xenex Full Spectrum UV room disinfection system works by pulsing xenon, an inert gas, at a high intensity in a xenon ultraviolet flashlamp. This produces intense ultraviolet C (UVC) light which penetrates the cell walls of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, mold, fungus and spores. Their DNA is fused, rendering them unable to reproduce or mutate, effectively killing them on surfaces without contact or chemicals.

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