A Savior in Challenging Times
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Danielle relied on THOR UVC® to ensure the safety of her hospital environment. THOR UVC® was nothing short of a savior, used before and after room turnovers to eliminate pathogens.
At the heart of the bustling RWJ Barnabas Health hospital in Rahway, NJ, a modern-day hero quietly goes about its powerful mission. Danielle Damion, General Manager of Food & Environmental Services at Sodexo, introduces us to this hero with admiration and a touch of humor. Her hero is THOR UVC®, our formidable UV room disinfection robot, a champion in the fight against infection.
“THOR UVC® is wonderful and very easy to use,” Danielle notes. During COVID-19’s turbulent times, when uncertainty plagued the medical community across the country, THOR UVC® stood tall as the EVS department’s “savior” – to use Danielle’s description. Ever reliable, it is still deployed every single time before and after dismantling a patient room.
Danielle even crafted an ingenious routine to ensure meticulous sanitation. Nurses cleansed their powered air-purifying respirators with THOR UVC® before entering the emergency room, killing pathogens lurking on the respirator units and increasing staff confidence.
THOR’s Continuous Fight Against Pathogens
While the COVID-19 burden has lessened, another antagonist has emerged as Danielle’s nemesis – Candida Auris. “It sticks to everything,” she grimly warns, underscoring the critical necessity of THOR UVC®’s everyday use to eliminate the threat and stop its spread. Candida Auris is a tenacious fungus, notorious for its ability to resist standard cleaning agents and thrive on various surfaces. Its resilience poses a significant challenge in healthcare environments, where it can cause severe bloodstream infections and spread throughout the body. But Danielle, armed with THOR UVC®, is up for the challenge.
In dissecting the hospital’s meticulous protocols, Danielle outlines their carefully integrated disinfection strategy that utilizes THOR UVC® seven times a week in operating rooms, with an additional terminal cleaning session weekly. “Bleach,” she explains, “is not very effective. It also discolors mattresses and promotes mold.” Instead, her team sprays cleaner, deploys single-use mops and wipes, and finally calls upon the THOR UVC®’s might for total disinfection.
Maintaining THOR UVC®
Respecting the hospital’s investment, Danielle ensures THOR UVC®’s care and maintenance reflect its stature. “THOR is an expensive piece of equipment and is the best way to protect our environment, so we take care of it.” Under Danielle’s watch, training is mandatory before anyone can use the unit; only certified technicians or trained personnel are granted access. Users must abide by strict handling rules, including: always using THOR’s handle to push the unit; not touching the bulbs or other delicate parts; and neatly wrapping the cord after every use.
THOR UVC® has a designated home: a pristine closet, cleaned and painted just for its residency. It is a sanctuary where nothing but the essentials are stored – a testament to Danielle’s reverence for this invaluable asset.
Danielle infuses camaraderie to instill pride among THOR UVC® users. Each THOR UVC® tablet comes in a custom backpack featuring a superhero-themed Thor cartoon and matching masks. “It’s THOR, Mighty THOR, the Savior of Mankind,” she beams. This personification breathes life into the machinery, making its presence not just functional but a morale booster in morning huddles where THOR UVC® is included with the staff. Even the CEO shares this pride, having personally acquired THOR UVC® for the hospital.
Danielle’s belief in THOR UVC® transcends mere utilization. It’s the mindset she cultivates throughout her facility. She fosters a sense of pride and responsibility among teams members such that THOR plays an indispensable role in their daily infection prevention protocols. As the world continues to come under attack from new and re-emerging pathogens, placing medical facilities on high alert, THOR UVC® remains a beacon of hope. Its story resonates powerfully within the walls of RWJ Barnabas Health.
Discover more about THOR UVC® and explore how it can become a vital ally in your organization’s efforts to safeguard health and safety: https://www.finsentech.com/solutions/thor-uvc/
About Finsen Tech: Founded in 2015, Finsen Tech is a global leader in cutting-edge UVC disinfection solutions. Serving healthcare, education, hospitality, and other sectors, the company is committed to saving lives and preserving resources through clinically proven, science-backed UVC technologies. While still considered a small business enterprise (SBE), Finsen has deployed units in both medical and non-medical facilities in over 40 countries. Finsen Tech’s dedication to innovation and excellence ensures reliable and effective pathogen control, helping clients worldwide maintain safer environments.
