Patient safety is a top priority at Corona Regional Medical Center, and we continue to look for ways to best protect the health and well-being of patients, their families and visitors.
Reducing hospital-acquired infections is a national healthcare challenge, and CRMC has invested in new technology to continue the fight against infection. According to the National Institutes of Health, UV-C light kills certain drug-resistant bacteria on door handles, bedside tables and other surfaces of hospital rooms.
Infection Prevention Director Alicia Telles, BSHA, MBA, CIC, says the hospital recently added an ultraviolet-C disinfection system to their cleaning protocols, in particular in the intensive care unit after patients are discharged. A cleaner, healthier environment can lead to quicker healing and a better patient experience. “We care for our sickest patients in this unit, and it’s important to have a disinfection method that destroys bacteria, especially the drug-resistant variety,” she says.
Telles explains that the disinfector adds another layer of protection after the room is manually cleaned. A specially trained employee places the unit in the room, sets it to the appropriate disinfection cycle and turns it on. Sensors are placed in the room and at the door to ensure patient and employee safety. “In case the door is opened or if movement is detected in the room, the machine will shut off,” she says. The sensors also detect when the sanitization process is complete.
Telles adds that the new equipment has been so successful in reducing hospital infections, they are adding additional machines. “We are going to use them in the emergency room, the operating room and throughout the hospital. The extra machines can help contribute to a healthier hospital environment,” says Telles.
2018 Patient Safety Excellence Award™ from Healthgrades
For the third year in a row, Corona Regional Medical Center received this designation that shines the spotlight on superior hospital performance in preventing infections, medical errors and other complications based on 14 serious, potentially preventable adverse events. CRMC is the only hospital in Riverside County named among the top five percent in the nation for Patient Safety three years in a row.