San Juan Regional Medical Center upgrades disinfecting robots to sanitize faster

FARMINGTON, N.M. (KRQE) –  A hospital in northern New Mexico is deploying a new type of robot to clean and disinfect the medical center; and they said they’re the first in the state to use this upgraded tech.

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The San Juan Regional Medical Center (SJRMC) has a new staff member—”We were the first hospital in New Mexico to have the Tru-D UV system 11 years ago. And we still are the first hospital to acquire their newest technology, the Tru-D iQ so, very proud of that,” said Utahna Ortiz, manager of the Environmental Services Department for SJRMC.

Called the Tru-D iQ system, it uses UV light to target infectious germs. “It uses technology from the sun. It takes spores and it breaks it apart so it doesn’t regrow,” Ortiz said, “It changes the DNA or the structure of the germ so that way it doesn’t spread or it doesn’t replicate or any of that.”

While it’s not safe to be in the room while the robot does its work, Ortiz said this upgraded version disinfects a room from diseases—like COVID-19, MRSA, and others—much faster than previous disinfecting robots. What used to be an hour of sanitizing before a patient could be admitted now takes 20 minutes or less, leading to a better patient experience.

“The only downside is it still smells like a burnt lightbulb,” Ortiz joked.

The new robot disinfection process happens after her staff cleans the room. “So our patients are safe, you know? When they come into these rooms, I really feel that a clean environment is a healing environment,” Ortiz said.

The hospital was able to get the new system upgrade with a price tag of around $100,000 through a partnership with Aramark Healthcare. “Trading in our Pinto for the newest, you know, luxury car that’s out there with all the new cute technology stuff; that’s the best way I can describe it,” Ortiz said.

SJRMC began using the Tru-D iQ system late last month; they use it to clean areas including their 200 hospital rooms, the Emergency Department, and operating rooms.

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