Robots are proving to be reliable and productive contributors to the health care system.  A relative new comer to the health robotic world, the RIVA (Robotic IV Automation System) is a robot containing environment for filling IV syringes and bags in hospitals.  Given that these solutions are to be injected directly into the blood stream, it is imperative that the system operates with ultimate sterility and without errors.  The RIVA was produced by a Winnipeg-based medical device company, Intelligent Hospital Systems, in order to maintain sterility and productivity in IV drug compounding.  A recent study conducted under the watchful eyes of an industrial hygienist, demonstrated that the RIVA was able to meet the strict requirements of the “USP 797” guidelines which governs potential cross contamination of bags and syringes, contamination of the work surfaces, and release of compounds into the air.  MORE