Good Hope clinicians claim an infection control hat trick

A new surveillance system has been introduced at Good Hope Hospital that is thought to have three national �firsts� in the fight to control infection.

The computer system allows instant assessments on the number of infections being treated across the hospital � and has a real-time antibiotic �warden� so doctors can check what drugs are being prescribed.

Clinical teams are hoping the system will play a major part in helping them reduce infections and so improve still further the quality of care given to patients.

The development is featured in the infection control team�s quarterly report to the hospital�s trust board which meets next Monday (Mar 27).

The surveillance system has been built into the hospital�s Patient Workstation, which contains millions of computerised records of the care given to patients. It includes:

• A real time infection surveillance system, allowing clinical teams to track three of the most problematic infections � MRSA, Clostridium difficile and ESBL infections � down to community or hospital ward level.
• A real-time �antibiotic warden� linked to the hospital�s pharmacy prescribing system that tells the microbiology team what selected antimicrobial drugs are being given to patients in the hospital.
• A post-operative surgical site infection monitoring system that includes surveillance of patients after they have been discharged by monitoring pathology tests requested by GPs.

Consultant Microbiologist Dr Das Pillay said: �These are three functions which, in my experience, are the first of their kind anywhere in the country. This is a really very exciting and powerful tool to tackle infection.

�Not only will we be able to intervene more effectively the moment a problem arises, but we�ll also be able to see infection trends over time at all levels in the hospital and the community.

�This will help us with strategic planning, giving us a clear pointer to where we need to direct resources to tackle infection.

�The antibiotic warden will allow us to see where we can best give advice on prescribing and controlling the use of restricted drugs. This is important because the misprescribing of antibiotic drugs is a contributing factor in the development of drug-resistant infection.�

The new surveillance system is being rolled out across the Trust � and training is being given to clinical teams so they know how to use it.

It is being added to another infection control computer system already in use in the hospital � which alerts clinical teams when a patient with a history of infection problems is admitted for an operation or through the accident and emergency department.

Both systems have been developed by the hospital�s own software development team in collaboration with the microbiological team.

For more information, contact Andy Comber, Head of Communications, at Good Hope NHS Trust: 0121 378 2211 ext 1146, Mob: 07974 575104.

Source : Good Hope