HICKORY, NC – In a continued effort to provide the safest care possible
during the current pandemic, Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC) recently
added two state-of-the-art UVDI-360 Room Sanitizers. These portable ultraviolet
light devices can disinfect an average hospital room in less than 10 minutes.
When combined with conventional cleaning methods, the UVDI-360 Room Sanitizer
can inactivate 99.99 percent of over 35 pathogens, including COVID-19.
These types of machines are considered the most advanced technology in
disinfection.
Ultraviolet light sanitizing depends on the use of UV-C wavelengths, also
known as the germicidal wavelength. Because the microorganisms that cause
illnesses have not developed a biological defense against these high energy
rays, the cells become damaged and are unable to reproduce when exposed
to the UV-C rays, effectively killing them. This technology has been in
use since the early 1900s, but it has become especially valuable in the
fight against COVID-19.
While each of these devices costs more than $50,000, funding was made possible
to CVMC by a grant from Catawba Medical Foundation, the philanthropic
arm of Catawba Valley Health System (CVHS). “In a community health
system every dollar matters so we count on our community partners for
financial support to help us accomplish our mission of service to this
area. This technology is a great example of incorporating cutting-edge
innovation into the daily routines of patient care,” said CVHS Chief
Development Officer Guy Guarino.
CVMC already had two ultraviolet light sanitizers in use prior to these
additional units being purchased, but with the pandemic bringing an increase
in patients with the virus, infection prevention specialists at the medical
center felt that additional lights would allow for improved workflow and
turnaround times. In healthcare, you need every tool possible within reach.
The technology allows us to disinfect high-use areas not only more quickly,
but also more efficiently and safely,” said Michelle Lusk, CVHS
vice president for quality and patient safety.