Disinfecting robots use ultraviolet germicidal irradiation to kill harmful microorganisms. The most common types of such robots work either with UV Mercury light source or UV Xenon light source (Wynsberghe, 2016). This technology is utilized to disinfect the hospital environment, in particular, high touch surfaces. Apart from sanitizing hospitals, disinfecting robots can also kill bacteria in long-term care facilities and ambulances. The full-room sterilization offered by these new devices is efficient, and it can be performed in a matter of minutes without human involvement.
An introduction of a disinfecting robot will help improve infection prevention and reduce the rates of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) that have become a major concern for US healthcare providers. The robots that have a strong light source can clean shadowed areas and areas that are often missed by sanitization personnel. Moreover, ultraviolet germicidal irradiation can penetrate behind objects, destroying bacteria. Compared to cleaning practices that are usually performed in hospitals, disinfecting robots do not require someone to control them, are safer to use, and have better access to surfaces. Thus, the utilization of this technology may be expected to reduce the incidence rate of HAIs. Consequently, morbidity and mortality associated with HAIs will decrease, and the quality of care will be improved.
However, it is essential to consider the cost of this technology and reimbursement as they may be key factors impacting its usage by healthcare providers. The average price of a UV robot is equal to $81,000 (ECRI Institute, 2015, p. 1). An average-sized hospital may need two UV robots to clean all its rooms, so the total cost will be equal to $162,000. The overall costs of HAIs incurred by US hospitals are equal to 9.78 billion dollars, and the price tag for treating one patient with MRSA is $28,000 (Schmier et al., 2016, p. 200). Therefore, healthcare providers will be able to minimize costs related to the treatment of HAIs.
The given technology tool could make a positive impact on nursing practice. Firstly, as the rates of HAIs fall, the staff workload will decrease, which is why healthcare professionals will have more time for delivering services to patients. Secondly, the process of care will become more effective, and the length of hospital stay of some patients will decrease. Thirdly, less time will be spent on the elaboration of HAI prevention care bundles and ways to improve compliance with hand hygiene practices among the personnel.
The most common barrier that prevents the wide usage of disinfecting robots is their high cost. That is why only a small number of healthcare facilities can purchase this new technology. The second barrier is a lack of evidence on the benefits of this tool. Since disinfecting robots are relatively new devices, they have not become popular yet. Therefore, there are only a few studies showing how effective UVC disinfection can be.
The wider implementation of this technology can be facilitated by the dissemination of information about the benefits of the utilization of disinfecting robots in a healthcare setting, such as the reduction in the rates of HAIs. Besides, healthcare facilities should be informed about the possibility to lease robots if they cannot be bought. It is also important that the government or local authorities encourage hospitals to purchase these robots by reimbursing some part of the associated expenses.
References
ECRI Institute. (2015). Disinfection robots: A front-line assault on hospital-acquired infections? Web.
Schmier, J., Hulme-Lowe, C., Semenova, S., Klenk, J., Deleo, P., Sedlak, R., & Carlson, P. (2016). Estimated hospital costs associated with preventable health care-associated infections if health care antiseptic products were unavailable. ClinicoEconomics and Outcomes Research, 8(1), 197–205.
Wynsberghe, A. V. (2016). Service robots, care ethics, and design. Ethics and Information Technology, 18(4), 311–321.