WAYNE, PA — Crothall Healthcare has been named a winner of the Business Intelligence Group’s Innovation Awards, gaining national recognition for an expanded use of ultraviolet light technology that the company says has driven sharp reductions in hospital-acquired infections.
The award, presented by the Business Intelligence Group, honors organizations that demonstrate applied innovation with measurable real-world impact. Crothall was cited for broadening its use of Ultraviolet-C disinfection beyond isolation rooms to include all patient-ready rooms and critical care areas.
Company officials said the expanded deployment has helped drive healthcare-associated infection rates well below national benchmarks at client hospitals, an outcome with growing significance as hospitals face persistent infection risks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in 31 hospital patients has at least one healthcare-associated infection on any given day.
“This recognition is a testament to our team’s relentless commitment to patient safety,” said Mike Villani, chief executive officer of Crothall Healthcare. “By strategically expanding our use of UV-C technology, we’ve not only seen a dramatic reduction in healthcare-associated infections but have also enhanced the patient experience.”
Crothall pointed to a case study at a New Jersey hospital as evidence of the program’s impact. After expanding UV-C disinfection from isolation rooms to operating rooms, patient-ready rooms, and other high-risk areas, monthly usage increased from about 1,000 cycles to nearly 6,000.
Hospital-onset healthcare-associated infection rates at the facility fell 82 percent below the national average in 2024, according to Crothall. The hospital also reported zero surgical site Clostridioides difficile infections and zero central line-associated bloodstream infections during the same period. Cleaning effectiveness was validated through post-cleaning surface monitoring, which showed pass rates between 96 percent and 99 percent.
“Our focus on innovation extends beyond infection control to directly enhance the patient experience,” said Sophia McCrae, vice president of operational strategy at Crothall Healthcare. She said the company’s approach combines new technology with evidence-based cleaning practices and workforce training, including its Positive Impressions program, which she said has been associated with improved patient satisfaction scores.
Crothall Healthcare was among 159 organizations recognized this year by the Business Intelligence Group for innovation across healthcare, financial services, logistics, manufacturing, and enterprise technology.
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