Sunday, July 27, 2025, 12:04AM | 
MENU
Advertisement
"Violet," the latest of UPMC's collection of disinfecting robots which uses ultraviolet light to sanitize a hospital's operating and patient rooms, is demonstrated at UPMC Passasvant.
3
MORE

Violet the robot attacks germs at UPMC Passavant

Larry Roberts/Post-Gazette

Violet the robot attacks germs at UPMC Passavant

edited by blazinaBright purple lights pulsed through an empty hospital room as UPMC Passavant‘‍s new robot, Violet, completed its work. In 15 minutes,  ultraviolet rays emerging from its neck would penetrate the bacteria in the space, reaching nooks and crannies that humans overlooked.

Violet is the latest in a growing slate of robotic devices that UPMC has purchased in efforts to improve hospital sanitation. Funded by a $75,000 grant from the Passavant Hospital Foundation, the machine uses ultraviolet C lights to destroy strong viruses and bacteria, commonly known as “superbugs,” that are resistant to traditional antibiotic treatments. Since UPMC Passavant, in McCandless, began using Violet last month, it has disinfected 346 patient rooms. 

The device was manufactured by Xenex, a producer of “germ-zapping robots.” UPMC Presbyterian, UPMC Montefiore and UPMC Shadyside began employing different models of UV cleaning robots in February.

Advertisement

“Light is a powerful disinfectant,” said Fay Morgan, president of the Passavant Hospital Foundation. “We are harnessing it.”

The cleaning procedure occurs after a room has been vacated and already disinfected once by an employee in the hospital’‍s environmental services department. A technician then wheels the robot into the room, positioning Violet somewhere that will allow it to hit all exposed surfaces. After each five-minute cycle, the machine is usually moved to another part of the space. 

All this occurs without a human inside the room, as the technician leaves after the machine has been set up. Terrance Rhodes, an environmental services aide, is among the 25 workers at UPMC Passavant who have been trained to use the robot.

The procedure is straight-forward, said Mr. Rhodes, who learned it in half an hour.

Advertisement

These cleanings also will take place behind closed curtains and doors, as long-term exposure to the lights can cause vision damage. Mark Hundley, director of environmental services at UPMC Passavant, said, “It‘‍s like looking at the sun.” 

The effectiveness of the robot will be measured using the infection prevention department‘s data on healthcare-acquired infection, the hospital‘‍s infection prevention coordinator, Loraine DeSimone, explained. 

“Data will need to be collected and reviewed over a period of time so that we can compare our infection rates pre- and post-implementation of this new technology,” she said. After these outcomes have been evaluated, UPMC will decide whether to apply the robots on a larger scale.

Xenex robots, which have been on the market since 2009, have shown some success at other hospitals. A study conducted at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Tex., found a 30 percent facility-wide reduction in Clostridium difficile, a form of bacterial superbug, after using the robot.

In comparison to ultraviolet A or B, Mr. Hundley said, ultraviolet C doesn’‍t penetrate through the atmosphere because it is completely absorbed by the ozone layer. The hospital‘s viruses and bacteria will be encountering the rays for the first time, making them more vulnerable.

First Published: July 10, 2014, 2:11 a.m.

RELATED
SHOW COMMENTS (0)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
A huge Canadian flag carried by a crowd in Montreal in 1995, before a referendum on Quecec’s independence. Dennis Jett suggests Pennsylvania do the same in reverse.
1
opinion
Dennis Jett: Pennsylvania should become part of Canada
There is a large covered porch at the front of the house at 115 Forest Hills Road in Forest Hills.
2
life
Buying Here: Forest Hills home in its own 'mini-forest' listed for $425,000
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers throws a touchdown pass to DK Metcalf during Steelers Training Camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe on Friday, July 25, 2025.
3
sports
Steelers training camp observations: Aaron Rodgers, receivers bring 'wow' factor to Day 2
A woman charged under the name Shannon Nicole Womack is accused of using fake names, fake references and fake credentials at staffing agencies to secure nursing jobs across Pennsylvania and beyond. Pennsylvania State Police urged health care providers across the state to check their records and study the woman’s photo to help identify other facilities she might have duped.
4
news
Pittsburgh 'fake nurse' linked to 5 more Pennsylvania facilities
Several houses are shown along N. Dallas Avenue near Penn Avenue in Point Breeze with “For Sale” signs in the front yard, Friday, March 21, 2025.
5
business
A cooling market and patient buyers are causing many Pittsburgh home sellers to cut their prices
"Violet," the latest of UPMC's collection of disinfecting robots which uses ultraviolet light to sanitize a hospital's operating and patient rooms, is demonstrated at UPMC Passasvant.  (Larry Roberts/Post-Gazette)
Terrance Rhodes, from Environmental Services at UPMC Passavant, opens up all reachable areas in a patient room before activating "Violet," a disinfecting robot.  (Larry Roberts/Post-Gazette)
Terrance Rhodes, from Environmental Services at UPMC Passavant, moves "Violet," the disinfecting robot into position for a demonstration at UPMC Passasvant.  (Larry Roberts/Post-Gazette)
Larry Roberts/Post-Gazette
Advertisement
LATEST local
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story