In rural Ganado, Arizona, Sage Memorial Hospital stands as a vital healthcare lifeline for the Navajo Nation. Serving a broad and often remote population, including Cornfields, Kinlichee, Steamboat, and other chapters; the hospital sees roughly 95% of its patients identifying as American Indian or Alaskan Native.
In an interview with Infection Control Today, Senior Editor Tori Whitacre Martonicz spoke with Christian BigWater (Public Relations & Marketing) and Tiyarra Wauneka (Environmental Services Supervisor) about how Sage Memorial navigates infection prevention and control (IPC) amid unique challenges.
As a private hospital surrounded by federally funded IHS (Indian Health Service) facilities, Sage Memorial operates with limited access to government-backed training and resources. “We are in a rural location,” said Wauneka, “so it takes time for us to receive supplies.” While urban hospitals can receive PPE and disinfectant within a day, it can take Sage anywhere from one week to three months.
The challenges go beyond the hospital walls. Wauneka explains that the community’s geographic sprawl—with homes scattered across wide, unmarked land—makes coordinated infection prevention efforts difficult. During the COVID-19 pandemic, delays in supply chains impacted not just the hospital, but also the surrounding community’s safety.
To overcome these barriers, Sage’s Environmental Services team plans months ahead, ensuring that critical supplies are always in stock.
Despite these limitations, Sage Memorial is pushing forward with innovation. In Part II of the interview, BigWater and Wauneka share how the hospital is leveraging UV-C disinfection technology and other tools to meet the rigorous demands of infection control in a rural setting. Tools like the OhmniClean UV-C disinfection robot have helped automate and standardize critical cleaning workflows, even with limited staff and delayed supply chains.
Why OhmniClean Stands Out
The success stories from Sage Memorial Hospital, and CMCH illustrate the tangible benefits of adopting OhmniClean:
- Autonomous Operation: Reduces manual labor and ensures consistent disinfection.
- User-Friendly Interface: Simplifies training and daily use for staff.
- Enhanced Patient Satisfaction: Contributes to higher cleanliness ratings and overall patient experience.
- Operational Efficiency: Speeds up cleaning processes, allowing for quicker room turnovers.
For healthcare facilities aiming to elevate their disinfection standards and operational efficiency, OhmniClean presents a compelling solution backed by real-world success.
Interested in learning more about how OhmniClean can benefit your facility? Explore OhmniClean’s features and schedule a demo.
