Disease containment zones - Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHS Trust

ADOPTION

WHAT IS THE ISSUE?

The issue of hospital acquired infection is relevant to all healthcare organisations.
The cost to the NHS for patients acquiring MRSA alone has been cited as £9000/case, with a total cost to the NHS of £1bn per year.

WHAT IS THE INNOVATION?

The innovation relates to evaluating the control and prevention of transmission of MRSA, TB and C. Diff. utilising technology which produces disease containment zones. The system works by generating a sterile air curtain around a patient’s bed to form a ‘safe’ contained environment. This system is thus a low cost method of isolating infected patients and will complement the present strategy of screening and isolating to reduce the risk of HAI. The simplicity of the system and ease of installation means that it can be retro-fitted in a wide range of situations / clinical environments.

WHAT IS THE BENEFIT?

For patients/staff/service

• Reduction of transmission of infection between patients, staff and the public
• Improved patient safety
• Visitors will not compromise isolated patients

Increased quality and productivity

• Reduction in bed days resulting from hospital-acquired infection.
• Social value in reduction of lost work time

Spread and sustainability

• Introduction of equipment to other isolation areas
• Publication of efficacy studies
• Achieved and sustained reduction in bacterial population in contained areas
• Equally applicable to NHS Trusts, private healthcare, nursing and residential homes

Projected savings

• Equipment installation £5000 per containment zone
• £9000 for each infection case prevented