How It All Began

The collaboration between Loop Robots and Spaarne Gasthuis started five years ago. When we mention this to Marc, he laughs and says, “Have we really been doing this for five years? It feels more like two or three.”

The story goes back to 2020, in the middle of the COVID pandemic. At that time, the hospital was exploring whether face masks could be disinfected using UV-C light. The plan ultimately did not move forward, but the idea stayed with them.

Later, when the hospital faced a VRE outbreak, the thought arose to use UV-C light for surface disinfection. That was the beginning of their contact with Loop Robots.The first introduction was cautious. The robot was not yet fully autonomous and had to be operated manually. Marc was skeptical at first and remembers thinking, “This isn’t going to work.”

But the technology developed rapidly. Within six months, a fully autonomous system was available and immediately deployed during the outbreak. That proved to be a turning point. The team saw what SAM could deliver and realized this was the future.

From Pilot to Daily Practice

The positive experience gave the confidence to move forward. The outbreak was quickly brought under control, and the team decided to implement the robot permanently.

The introduction was calm and controlled. A small group of employees started using SAM at a location where many terminal cleanings take place. The results were immediately noticeable. Quality improved. Work became more efficient. The team gained more overview.

As more employees saw what SAM could do, enthusiasm grew. Today, the robot is used in nearly every department, including by weekend staff and temporary workers. SAM has become a standard part of daily operations and only stops when there is no terminal isolation cleaning to perform.

Marc describes SAM with a smile. “It’s basically a very expensive broom. But it’s one everyone can use as long as they know how it works.” That is why every user receives proper instructions and training. Marc says he wishes SAM could keep running continuously, because it only improves the quality.

SAM takes over the most intensive part of the disinfection process. This makes the work more precise, more manageable, and less physically demanding. It takes the pressure off since you know that SAM does it job well Marc says.

Even so, this broad adoption did not happen automatically. Marc explains that at first they thought they could implement SAM just as easily at another location, since it had gone so smoothly at the first. But they soon learned that you really need to take people with you: explain things well, involve them, and train them.

SAM’s Success Formula

Marc believes SAM’s success comes from a combination of strengths. High quality. Reduced chemical use. No residue. A uniform workflow. Access to the latest technology. Reliable service. “Everything just fits together,” he says.

Quality as the Foundation

Quality always comes first for Marc. While the organization sometimes focuses on speed or cost, his priority is the assurance that every room is truly safe for the next patient.

Research shows that manual disinfection effectively covers only about forty percent of surfaces. SAM consistently scores above ninety-five percent. For Marc, the choice is obvious. “If you can choose between a four and a nine-and-a-half, the decision is easy.”

The high standard is noticeable in daily practice. Marc describes it from the patient’s perspective. Someone who lies in bed all day and has plenty of time to observe the room. Streaks on the floor or sticky surfaces undermine trust.

Such comments used to appear occasionally. Since SAM arrived, they have disappeared. UV-C disinfection leaves no residue. Floors stay clean. Rooms look fresher. This strengthens patient safety and enhances the hospital’s professional appearance.

Less Chemicals, More Sustainability

The impact is also significant for cleaning staff and the environment. Since SAM was introduced, the use of chemical disinfectants has dropped sharply. The hospital has already saved thousands of liters of disinfectant and disposable wipes.

In Hoofddorp alone, around 2.5 liters of chemicals are saved every day during terminal cleaning of patient rooms and sanitary areas.

Marc remembers when this truly sank in. Another location faced supply issues and asked whether they still had stock. “When I opened our storage cabinet, it was almost completely full,” he says. “That was the moment I realized how much difference SAM makes.”

Less chemicals means less environmental impact and a healthier workplace. “It supports our sustainability goals,” Marc says. “It’s better for our staff. And I think Mother Earth is happier too.”

One Method for All Situations

SAM also brings simplicity. Staff previously needed different products for various types of isolation. Now the team uses one consistent method.

The robot handles Norovirus as well as microorganisms like Clostridioides difficile. This saves time, prevents mistakes, and brings calm and clarity to the process.

Chemical products are also disappearing from the market, which would otherwise lead to complex mixing steps and waiting times. SAM removes that complexity entirely. One system. Always reliable. Always the same result.

Always the Latest Technology

To ensure continuous access to the newest technology, Spaarne Gasthuis uses Loop Robots’ Robot-as-a-Service offering. It turned out to be a smart decision.

In recent years, several models have been replaced or upgraded without requiring additional investment from the hospital. “It feels like we always have the newest version,” Marc says. “That gives certainty and continuity.”

Support You Can Rely On

Service is another key factor. From the beginning, the team used WhatsApp groups so employees could get help quickly. Sometimes Loop Robots notices an issue even before the hospital does. This creates a sense of security and support.

Marc recalls a moment during Christmas. Within half an hour, they received an answer and the problem was resolved. “That brings so much peace of mind,” he says.

The fast responses and proactive thinking give the team confidence that SAM will always keep running. Marc describes this as the “double-plus” of their contract.

Flexible and Prepared During Outbreaks

The team did not expect it at first, but SAM has greatly increased their agility. In earlier incidents, the hospital simply couldn’t act as quickly as they can now.

As soon as there is a suspicion of an issue, the team can act immediately. Marc recalls a near-incident where Infection Prevention issued a warning. “We deployed SAM immediately,” he says. “Within a day, the situation was under control. Without SAM, that would not have been possible.”

SAM’s data collection also plays a vital role. The robot records exactly which rooms were treated and when. The team always has insight into what has been done. This gives clarity not only for cleaning staff, but also for care departments and Infection Prevention.

Questions can be answered right away. Actions are documented and verifiable.

The Future

Marc doesn’t hesitate when asked whether he could imagine cleaning without SAM. “No,” he says with conviction. “I really can’t picture that anymore.”

SAM has made the work easier. More reliable. More flexible. Teams can respond faster and know that rooms have been properly disinfected.

At the same time, SAM’s success brings a challenge. Because outbreaks and problems have become so rare, the urgency to keep investing sometimes fades. It is a familiar pattern. When something works well, the need to maintain it feels less pressing.

That is why Marc continues to highlight SAM’s value within the organization. Its quality. Its efficiency. The certainty and safety it provides.

“These are exactly the things you never want to lose,” he says.