New Infection Prevention Device to Premiere at NTI Critical Care Show

The new KR615 UV Germicidal Enclosure, designed to be a significant tool in the fight against healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), will have its premiere and first public demonstration at the 2016 National Teaching Institute and Critical Care Exposition in New Orleans, May 17-19. The event is expected to draw approximately 7,000 critical-care healthcare professionals.

Developed by Advanced Ultra-Violet Systems, LLC (AUVS), the KR615 addresses a dangerous gap in healthcare provider’s infection prevention protocols, according to company CEO Jim Psihas.

“Disinfecting robots have become popular in recent years, but can only be used in unoccupied rooms; bleach-based wipes are harsh and tend to be avoided by healthcare workers. In addition, wipes degrade expensive medical equipment,” says Psihas. “As a result of the limitations of robots and wipes, a gap in infection prevention exists, namely, that high-touch medical and non-medical devices-known agents of cross-contamination which move freely around the hospital-are not sanitized.”

The KR615 fills this gap by simply and affordably sanitizing devices including stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, nurse call buttons, cell phones, small tablets, pillow speakers, EKG wires, blood glucose meters and TV remotes. 

With the KR615 devices can be sanitized at any time by any staff member. According to independent lab results, a 48-second exposure of completely contained UV sanitized 99.9 percent of the most challenging contaminants including C. diff and MRSA.

Each item is simply placed inside the counter-top or wall-mounted enclosure, the KR615’s door is closed and the press of a button begins a 48-second UV decontamination cycle. Even devices that must stay plugged in or connected can be treated thanks to the KR615’s cord/wire routing design.

The AUVS KR-615 uses a patented, enhanced application of UV developed by Dr. Wayne Clark. One of the foremost experts on UV technology, Clark’s work includes technology developed for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to protect the Pentagon from biological attack.

According to Psihas, since the KR615’s release last month, one aspect of the KR615 that has garnered significant positive response is its price. With a MSRP of just $1,995, the KR615 represents a highly affordable solution compared to the cost of robots or the ongoing costs of wipes. The KR615 has applications in the ICU, the OR and Emergency Departments, as well as in EMS and other healthcare environments.

“We are very excited about the good we can do by offering this technology,” says Psihas. “By putting the solution where the problem is-in the patient room; treating devices on an ongoing basis, even when the room is occupied; eliminating the drawbacks presented by wipes and liquids, and making the KR615 easily affordable, we feel we can help hospitals deal a major blow to HAIs; protect patients, families and staff, as well as the facility’s bottom line.”

Source: Advanced Ultra-Violet Systems, LLC.