UV-Ray Robot Sterilizes Macon Hospital

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Macon hospital is one of two in the entire state using a robot to kill germs and bacteria.  The Medical Center of Central Georgia (MCCG) and Grady hospital in Atlanta use the state of the art machine to keep the facilities clean.

The portable TRU-D uses ultraviolet light to kill 99 percent of bacteria and germs. MCCG officials credit the robot and good hygiene with a significant decrease in the spread of sicknesses, like staph infections within the hospital.

MCCG Medical Director of Infectious Prevention, Dr. Jeff Stephens, said they use the TRU-D robot to kill resistant organisms by using ultraviolet technology similar to UV light for tanning beds.

“It’s actually very similar sort of wave lengths which kills organisms and spores,” said Stephens.

TRU-D can eliminate germs floating in the air that were unable to be destroyed by spraying chemicals.
As a safety precaution no one is allowed in the room when the robot is cleaning. Technicians use a hand held device behind a glass door to give commands. The robot is equipped with sensors and audible commands to protect technicians and reduce risk of UV exposure.

TRU-D is an automated and intuitive system. After a hospital staff member cleans the room, the robot is then rolled into the room to finish the job blanketing the room with ultra violet rays killing bacteria viruses and spores.

MCCG Manager of Environmental Services, Reginald Chambliss said the robots have proven to be effective in cutting cost as well as preventing hospital workers from catching contagious diseases.

This is the third year the Medical Center of Central Georgia has used the Tru-D robot. They have five robots technicians use to clean operating rooms and patient rooms.