Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health Launches LightStrike Robots to Assist in COVID-19 Battle and Infection Control

OKMULGEE, OK —  As healthcare facilities look for new and innovative ways to battle viruses and bacteria that can pose a risk to employee and patient safety, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health (MCNDH) is turning to new technology to enhance cleaning protocols.

In January, MCNDH deployed two new Xenex LightStrike robots.  These robots will be utilized at the Okmulgee Medical Center and the Creek Nation Community Hospital in Okemah.  The robots use pulsed xenon to create intense bursts of broad spectrum ultraviolet (UV) light that quickly destroys bacteria and viruses on surfaces without damaging materials in the room.  The robot works quickly and does not require warm-up or cool-down time, enabling MCNDH to disinfect multiple rooms per day.

“This new technology equips our Environmental Services (EVS) team with enhanced disinfecting technologies. The robots, which will be operated by our EVS crew, are an added layer of protection and disinfection,” said Timothy Hicks, Chief Operating Officer, Hospital Services. “During this pandemic, we are doing everything we can to protect our patients and staff. The LightStrike robot is proven to deactivate SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, on surfaces within two minutes.” 

More than forty peer-reviewed studies have been published validating the efficacy of this technology. The robot can be used anywhere within a healthcare facility, including isolation rooms, operating rooms, general patient care rooms, contact precaution areas, emergency rooms, restrooms and public spaces.

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About Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health

Headquartered in Okmulgee Okla., the Muscogee (Creek) Nation is the fourth largest federally recognized tribe in the United States with more than 89,000 citizens.  The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health operates community hospitals, a long-term acute care facility and physical rehabilitation center serving both tribal citizens and the general public.  To ensure healthy generations of Native people, MCN also operates Indian health clinics and provides dedicated services for citizens of federally recognized tribes.