Hospital cleaning robots improve Billings Clinic

At Billings Clinic, two autonomous cleaning robots, affectionately named Meryl Sweep and Dirt Reynolds, have been diligently scrubbing hospital floors since December.

These robots cover up to 25,000 square feet, primarily focusing on high-traffic areas like lobbies.

Since their deployment, patient cleanliness scores have risen by 10%, reflecting a noticeable improvement in the hospital's environment.

The introduction of these robots has also allowed cleaning staff to dedicate more time to direct patient care.

Robert Derrett, the hospital's vice president of ancillary services and operations, emphasized the importance of this shift, stating that having staff consistently cleaning floors detracts from their primary goal of being as close as possible to the patient's bedside.

Taylor Chanthadouandsy, the dayshift environmental services manager, noted the positive feedback from various units regarding the enhanced cleanliness of the floors.

The robots operate for approximately 3.5 hours per session, with a battery life nearing six hours.

While they don't engage in conversations, they can issue simple messages like, "Excuse me. I am going this way. Please step aside."

The naming process for these robots sparked enthusiasm among staff, with over 700 suggestions submitted.

After careful consideration, the names Meryl Sweep and Dirt Reynolds were chosen, adding a touch of humor to the hospital's daily operations.

Looking ahead, there is interest in expanding the fleet of cleaning robots.

Chanthadouandsy expressed a personal desire for more robots, while Derrett mentioned that the hospital will continue to evaluate the need and explore innovative options as robotic technology advances.