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A reported reduction in healthcare associated infections
March 22, 2010
The Health Protection Agency have recently released their 2009 report detailing the figures for healthcare related infections such as MRSA across NHS trusts in England. The report indicated that the number of MRSA infections reported had fallen by 59% compared to the number of cases reported in 2007.
The report highlights the effectiveness of conscientious observations in reducing the number of healthcare associated infections. By recording cases of MRSA, the surveillance scheme indicated where infections are acquired and encouraged initiatives to treat the infections rapidly.
However, as the report was careful to point out, there are still a significant number of healthcare associated infections across the NHS. The elderly are among those particularly at risk, not just of contracting MRSA but other infections. There may be a decline in the number of infections reported, but much more needs to be done to reduce their prevalence.
According to a report by the National Audit Office, the financial burden of treating such infections for the NHS is over £1 billion a year. Yet the reported reduction in these avoidable infections could save the NHS up to an estimated £263 million, resulting in better quality patient care.
Reporting infections and reviewing patient observations made is key to reducing the number of infections developed in hospital. By conducting risk assessments and implementing regular patient observations, staff can implement preventative measures to halt the spread of infection in a ward environment.
Tortrix have developed a simple tool to enable healthcare professionals to conduct risk assessments and report patient observations on the ward. By integrating the Department of Health guidelines on infection control, the Saving Lives Assessment tool allows nursing staff to input their own data on patient observations. The application also offers the opportunity to generate graphs and reports for review purposes, allowing staff to view progress and performance in an easily accessible format.
The Saving Lives Assessment tool uses a clinical dashboard display that reflects reported observations across wards, departments and even trusts as a whole. As such it enables management staff to review performance towards NHS targets quickly and easily and generate reports accordingly. It promotes best practice in patient observations and encourages excellence in staff performance.
This application is currently in use at the George Eliot Hospital where it has been praised as 'an invaluable tool' by Libby Holland, the Clinical Audit and Effectiveness Nurse.
Tortrix works closely with the NHS to produce cost-effective products that help to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of infection control in an acute hospital environment.
