New System To Tackle Infection

Infection Prevention and Control teams in NHS Forth Valley will be able to spot emerging bugs more quickly and spend more time with patients, thanks to a state-of-the-art data system designed to help reduce health associated infections (HAI).

The ICNet Infection Prevention Case Management and Surveillance System will link together all elements of information needed by the infection prevention team, such as laboratory and patient data with real-time alerts and live reports. In addition, and in line with the Scottish Framework Agreement, ICNet will also help healthcare staff understand and manage infections by providing all relevant data in one place. This will help contain outbreaks, understand trends, reduce paperwork and free up staff time.

According to Katie Houghton, COO of ICNet,  the impact on patients treated within Forth Valley will be extremely positive. “Proactive infection prevention management using ICNet has shown a reduction in infections with substantial cost savings.”

NHS Forth Valley Infection Prevention and Control Public Manager, Jonathan Horwood, and Lesley Shepherd, lead nurse in infection control added: “One of our biggest challenges is the cumbersome use of a multitude of database systems that do not always provide accurate and reliable data when we need to see it. Often data isn’t available for up to a week later. Through our use of ICNet we will be able to spend more time with patients and review practices to make sure we make a positive impact on the HAI burden."

Figures released in 2011 show that around one in 20 patients across Scotland who require acute care acquire an infection whilst in hospital. This can result in an extended stay of up to one week. An estimate by NHS Scotland revealed this could translate into an extra cost to the health service of £180 million a year, equating to 380,000 bed days lost. Although these infections continue to be reduced, a significant burden remains to be managed.