Worcestershire Acute hospital ICNet

Worcester Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

What it is?

ICNet is the only Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) case management and surveillance package that has been recommended as suitable for use by the UK Health Protection Agency and Department of Health and has also been designed, developed and is supported in the UK.

Through interfacing with 3rd party databases such as the Laboratory system, Patient Administration / Hospital Information system, and Surgical systems, ICNet has been designed to automate the collection of data as required by the Infection Control Team (ICT), thus providing real time alerts, reports and analytical tools which saves considerable ICT time and helps to target action more effectively.

The project started in April 2008.

What it is achieving 

The project has successfully delivered the ICNet infection control system into the Worcestershire Acute Trust and the Worcestershire Mental Health organisations.  In direct reference to the stated objectives above we have achieved:-

Automatic reciept of alerts via a laboratory interface as soon as specific 'alert organisms' (and viruses) eg MRSA, GRE, C.Diff, ESBL results are detected

Outbreaks can be monitors better and more quickly

Information can also be shared between all healthcare organisations.

Links to the Patient Administration Systems which warn users on screen, through email or text messaging of high-risk 'alert patient' re-admissions into specific wards and hospitals, whilst also maintaining a real time log of patient locations 

Fully adaptable Surgical Site Infection Surveillance screens designed to accept data from the  Theatre System interface, supporting the reporting to mandatory schemes (e.g. SSISS in UK) 

A unified infection control system across both the mental health partnership and the acute trust (no more data islands). 

Benefits

Alerts from the lab and PAS systems provide early warning so immediate action can be taken thus: 

• Reducing the risk of spread of infection 
• Freeing up beds typically blocked by HAI patients 
• Reducing medication costs 
• Improved accuracy of data collection through the use of pocket PCs at the bedside 
• More efficient use of time due to less duplication 
• Early detection of outbreaks and faster action leads to reduced hospital stay, 
• Reduction in bed closures and less cross infection. Saves approximately £3,000 per patient 
• Provides the relief that the team needs in order to spend more time teaching, on audits and 
• Ability to address mandatory reporting issues from Department of Health 
• Timely, meaningful feedback to clinicians and board members 
• Enables a proactive approach, rather than reactive 
• Auditing of the system proves actions taken and care provided to patients 
• Performance is measured, enabling proof of achievement for both local and national targets! 
• Early detection of risk factors/causes of infection, therefore reducing further infections. 
• The PCT served by the Acute Trust can share their ICNet system which will: 

Key innovation message – using accurate real time information and web technology improves safety, the quality of care and reduces infections.