NAPA, CA, May 4, 2020 – Queen of the Valley Foundation raised more
than $100,000 from its community of generous donors to purchase an additional
disinfection device aimed at deactivating pathogens in patient areas at
Queen of the Valley Medical Center.
The Xenex LightStrike Germ-Zapping Robot is known for eradicating deadly
pathogens in less than five minutes and can disinfect an entire patient
room in approximately 15 minutes.
On April 30,
Xenex Disinfection Services announced that its LightStrike™ pulsed xenon disinfection robot
is the first and only ultraviolet (UV) disinfection technology proven
to deactivate the actual SARS-CoV-2. The LightStrike disinfection robot
destroyed SARS-CoV-2, which is the virus that causes COVID-19, in two
minutes. Testing was performed at the Texas Biomedical Research Institute,
one of the world’s leading independent research institutes working
exclusively on infectious diseases.
“The coronavirus pandemic has increased awareness of disease transmission
and the importance of infection prevention, which is why we are grateful
to have the LightStrike robots to help disinfect our facility,”
says epidemiologist Gianna Peralta, Infection Prevention Manager. “The
robots are able to quickly disinfect high-touch surfaces where pathogens
can linger (bed rails, tray tables, nurse call buttons, grab bars, wheelchairs,
etc.). By destroying the pathogens, we are creating a safer environment
for our caregivers and patients.”
Xenex LightStrike robots emit intense bursts of pulsed xenon ultraviolet
(UV) light that penetrates the cell walls of microorganisms and causes
irreparable damage. The portable devices are effective against viruses,
bacteria and spores. In addition to SARS_CoV-2, these include Middle Eastern
Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus (considered a surrogate virus
for COVID-19 by the EPA),
Clostridium difficile (C. diff), norovirus, influenza, Ebola and Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus, better known as MRSA.
“The safety of our caregivers and patients is our top priority,”
said Larry Coomes, chief executive at Queen of the Valley. “We are
blessed to be part of such a generous community. We are very thankful
to all the individuals and businesses who contributed to allow us to purchase
this additional tool to help in the fight against COVID-19.”
The Queen’s first Xenex robot was purchased in 2015 and was quickly
nicknamed QVR2 by hospital employees because of its shape. Operated by
the hospital’s environmental services team, the hospital has used
this technology to supplement the terminal cleaning process for the past
three years. It’s the size of a large vacuum cleaner and is on wheels.
It can be used in any department and in any unit within the hospital,
including isolation rooms, operating rooms, general patient care rooms,
contact precaution areas, emergency rooms, restrooms and public spaces.
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About Queen of the Valley Foundation: Queen of the Valley Foundation was
established in 1969 by a group of local residents who wanted to ensure
ongoing, locally managed support for quality medical care in the Napa
community. They knew that a financially healthy medical center was vital
to the future of the place they called home. Since its inception, the
Foundation has raised more than $115 million for St. Joseph Health Queen
of the Valley’s equipment and facilities, while increasing community
awareness of the medical center's capabilities and needs. More information
on the foundation may be found at
queensfoundation.org.
About Queen of the Valley Medical Center: Queen of the Valley Medical Center
is a 208-bed, acute-care facility founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph
of Orange. The Queen is the largest health care facility and one of the
largest employers in Napa County. Services provided include a regional
heart center; orthopedic center and cancer center approved with commendations
by the American College of Surgeons; the Peggy Herman Neuroscience Center,
a neurosurgery program affiliated with UCSF; a Women’s Center; maternity
and infant care department and trauma center, amongst many other specialty
services. More information about Queen of the Valley Medical Center can
be found at
www.thequeen.org.