Air purifying robot could speed up hospital procedures
It's part of a joint project between the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Plymouth
Last updated 23rd Oct 2022
Treliske Hospital in Cornwall is working with the University of Plymouth to try a robot that can decontaminate air.
It's hoped in the future the Akara robot could be used to speed up waiting times and allow more procedures to be carried out.
It's being used in the endoscopy department, where rooms normally need to be left vacant for twenty-five minutes after a procedure's carried out.
With the robot purifying the air, that time can be reduced to just ten minutes.
The idea came about because of the Covid 19 pandemic, where thorough cleaning of air was important to avoid infection spread.
The robot is designed to eliminate COVID-19 as well as other viruses, including flu.
"The robot can only be a good thing"
Dr Hannah Bradwell from the University of Plymouth explained the project’s potential: “The two questions we’re asking are does the robot disinfect to the same standard as the ventilation system alone and, if so, does it save time?
"If the answer is ‘yes’ to both, then the robot can only be a good thing."
Joanne Taylor, consultant nurse and deputy director of infection prevention and control at RCHT, commented: “The robot has definitely improved things for patients as the reduced downtime means we can get more patients seen in a day, while maintaining the highest standards in environmental cleanliness.
"Based on time savings made during the trial period, we estimate that its use could enable as many as 2,400 additional procedures a year which would have a very significant effect on reducing the waiting lists.”
Lynsey Farrell, Endoscopy Unit Lead at RCHT, said: “The robot has had a really positive impact on the department.
"Staff are concerned about the increased risk of COVID-19 for patients due to aerosol-generating procedures, and also for themselves, so they’re very keen to work with new technologies offering the potential to make the environment safer for everyone.”