[May 16, 2016]

Finally: Evidence-Based Best Practices for Utilizing UV Disinfection to Stop Hospital Acquired Infections

Every hospital wants fewer infections. Pulsed xenon ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection best practices have been shown in peer-reviewed studies to contribute to a decrease in Hospital Acquired Infection (HAI) rates at numerous hospitals throughout the United States. Confusion remains, however, about the differences between UV disinfection equipment and how to evaluate UV technologies. Renowned medical experts Dr. William Jarvis and Dr. Thomas Kelley will participate in a webinar on May 25, 2016 to review CDC and SHEA infection prevention guidelines, evaluate scientific research, and present a recent study from Orlando Health South Seminole Hospital describing how its integrated infection prevention approach incorporating pulsed xenon light technology resulted in a significant reduction in the facility's HAI rates.

According to a study published in the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC), South Seminole Hospital had a 61 percent reduction in combined Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridium difficile (C.diff) infection rates in its Intensive Care Unit (ICU), an 87 percent reduction in its ICU VRE infection rate, and a 29 percent reduction facility-wide in combined VRE, MRSA and C.diff infection rates after it began using xenon light technology for room disinfection. The hospital estimates that it saved $730,000 based on the number of C.diff and VE infections that were avoided.

"This webinar is a must for anyone considering UV disinfection technology. You wouldn't administer an IV without knowing there are scientific studies that back up the technology and you shouldn't purchase a UV system without understanding the scientific research that's been conducted, peer-reviewed and published about UV disinfection," said Dr. Mark Stibich, Chief Scientific Officer of Xenex. "We have brought together two highly respected medical professionals with a deep understanding of infection prevention and UV disinfection to educate attendees about best practices and how to successfully utilize UV technology to bring down a facility's infection rates."

Dr. William Jarvis is one of the world's most highly respected leaders in healthcare associated infection prevention and a frequently published expert in infectious diseases, infection control, epidemiology, public health and pediatrics. Among many other accomplishments he held numerous leadership positions at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for 23 years, including Acting Director, Hospital Infections Program (HIP); Assistant Director for Program Development, Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion (DHQP); and Director, Office of Extramural Research, Office of the Director, National Center for Infectious Diseases. He is currently Chair of the FDA's General Hospital and Personal Use Devices Committee.

Thomas Kelley, MD, is Chief of Quality and Clinical Transformation at Orlando Health and previously served as Chief Quality Officer of Orlando Health South Seminole Hospital in Longwood, FL. A practicing primary care physician who has been a champion of quality improvement throughout his career, Dr. Kelley received a microbiology degree with honors from the University of Georgia, completed his medical school training at Medical College of Georgia in Augusta (News - Alert), and did his residency at St. Vincent's Medical Center in Jacksonville.

Xenex Germ-Zapping Robots™ have been credited for helping healthcare facilities in the U.S. decrease their MRSA, C.diff and Surgical Site infection rates by more than 50, 70 and 100 percent respectively. Xenex's LightStrike™ xenon light disinfection system is the only disinfection system that uses pulsed xenon to create light that covers the entire germicidal spectrum. The Xenex system is also the only UV light disinfection technology shown, in multiple peer-reviewed published studies, to help hospitals reduce infection rates.

The webinar will take place on May 25, 2016 at 1:00pm CDT (News - Alert). Registration is available at http://www.xenex.com/xenex-news-and-events/events/webinar-finally-evidence-based-best-practices-using-uv-disinfection.

Xenex Disinfection Services

Xenex's patented Full Spectrum (News - Alert)^TM pulsed xenon UV room disinfection system is used for the advanced disinfection of healthcare facilities. Due to its speed and ease of use, the Xenex system has proven to integrate smoothly into hospital cleaning operations. Xenex's mission is to save lives and reduce suffering by eliminating the deadly microorganisms that cause hospital acquired infections (HAIs). The company is backed by well-known investors that include Malin Corporation, Battery Ventures, Targeted Technology Fund II and RK Ventures. For more information, visit Xenex.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160516006683/en/

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