Geisinger to Launch State-of-the-Art Disinfection Devices in Hospitals

Geisinger is deploying advanced ultraviolet (UV) disinfection devices across its hospital campuses, enhancing infection prevention efforts in patient care areas.

These cutting-edge devices use UV light to eliminate harmful pathogens. They improve safety by disinfecting patient rooms following manual cleaning, specifically if the room was occupied by someone with an illness that can be spread.

“Bringing UV disinfection technology into our hospitals is a powerful step forward in protecting our patients,” said Mark Shelly, M.D., medical director of infection prevention. “It’s not just about adding new tools. It’s about strengthening our commitment to safety and quality and doing everything we can to prevent hospital-acquired infections. A visibly clean surface is just the beginning. Because germs are invisible, they’re susceptible to UV light. This technology helps us take another meaningful step toward becoming a high-reliability organization, where safety is at the center of everything we do.”

How the technology works
  • Fast and effective: Disinfects rooms in just 12 to 30 minutes, depending on room size.
  • Smart technology: Tracks usage and automatically adjusts UV light levels to ensure thorough disinfection, even in shadowed or hard-to-reach areas.
  • Safe and secure: Operated exclusively by trained Environmental Services technicians. Rooms are clearly marked during use to ensure safety.
  • Targeted use: Used in patient rooms previously occupied by someone with an illness that can be spread.
Tested, trusted and now everywhere

Following successful trials at Geisinger Medical Center and Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, where the devices were integrated without disrupting patient flow, 16 of the devices are now being introduced systemwide.

Stopping germs in their tracks

The UV disinfection devices are effective against a wide range of pathogens, including:

  • Clostridioides difficile (C. diff)
  • Staphylococcus aureus
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
  • Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE)
  • Acinetobacter baumannii
  • Klebsiella pneumoniae
  • Influenza A
  • Norovirus

Geisinger Comprehensive Stroke Centers Recertified

Geisinger Medical Center in Danville and Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre recently received recertification from The Joint Commission as Comprehensive Stroke Centers, the highest level of stroke center certification.

The designation recognizes the high level of care that both hospitals provide 24/7 to patients with the severest and most complicated types of strokes. The hospitals have specialized cerebrovascular neurosurgeons, neuroscience intensive care units and the latest advanced imaging capabilities. Patients also have access to extensive rehabilitation programs and support during recovery.

“The recertification of our hospitals is a testament to the ongoing work by our physicians and staff,” said Clemens Schirmer, M.D., director of the comprehensive stroke center. “Strokes require urgent care to restore blood flow to the brain and begin the recovery process. Being recertified as Comprehensive Stroke Centers means we’re being recognized for our continued commitment to providing high-quality, lifesaving care for patients experiencing all types of strokes, giving them the best shot at a full recovery.”

The Comprehensive Stroke Center is supported Geisinger’s systemwide stroke program, led by Anthony Noto, M.D., vice chair of acute care neurology; David Ermak, D.O., system director of acute stroke; Clemens Schirmer, M.D., director of the Comprehensive Stroke Center; and Lisa Wasko, manager of clinical quality.

For more information on the full spectrum of stroke care at Geisinger, visit geisinger.org/stroke. 

Geisinger Medical Center Becomes First Comprehensive Heart Attack Center in U.S.

Geisinger Medical Center (GMC) is the country’s first hospital to receive The
Joint Commission/American Heart Association (AHA) Comprehensive Heart Attack Center
Certification.


Already recognized by the organizations as a Mission Lifeline® Heart Attack Receiving Center
for its ability to quickly restore blood flow to the heart in patients with the most severe type of
heart attack, GMC has now set the national standard for care coordination among hospital
leadership, interventional cardiology, cardiac surgery, heart failure, advanced practice, nursing,
life support, emergency medicine, emergency medical services (EMS), care management,
pharmacy, and cardiac rehab teams.


Every second is critical when trying to preserve heart muscle and function in patients having
cardiac episodes, and this degree of full-team support means patients will receive the highest
level of care as quickly as it can be delivered.


Geisinger engaged the certification process to bring the best possible cardiac care close to
home for patients and members in central and northeastern Pennsylvania – another step
forward in the system’s vision of making better health easier for the communities it serves.


“GMC staff has shown they’re ready to treat a broad spectrum of chest-pain patients including
those who go to the emergency room (ER) with chest pain, go into cardiac arrest outside the
hospital, have heart attacks and need blood flow restored quickly, need open-heart procedures,
or need advanced therapies like extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for life support
or left ventricle assist device (LVAD) procedures for heart failure,” said interventional
cardiologist Thomas Scott, D.O, director of the cardiac catheterization lab and co-medical
director of the Comprehensive Heart Attack Center Certification program at the medical center.


Geisinger partnered with The Joint Commission on the pilot program for this new certification in
November, and a multi-disciplinary team was ready when the commission returned at the end of
July for a rigorous onsite review.

Reviewers with a nursing background evaluated records for patients who were currently
admitted or had been cared for at GMC since the beginning of the year and pushed staff on
quality measures including leadership engagement, collaboration with EMS, medical decision
making, systemwide approach to quality improvement, performance improvement projects and
engagement with pharmacy at the bedside.


“Taking care of these patients is a team sport,” said Cinde Bower-Stout, R.N., M.H.A.,
cardiovascular quality manager and program director of the Comprehensive Heart Attack Center
Certification program at the medical center. “Our front-line staff are just as critical as our
specialists as they assess lab results for potential issues, administer pain-management
treatment, educate patients on what to expect when they get home and receive ongoing care,
round with our multi-disciplinary teams and help patients regain their strength with in-hospital
therapies in preparation for discharge.”


Geisinger was also noted for its ability to offer cardiac rehab in both in-person and virtual
formats to help patients recover after cardiac events.