Hospitals invited to
host new HCAI product evaluations
A programme which aims
to identify innovative infection prevention and control
products to help tackle healthcare associated infections (HCAIs)
is looking for NHS hospitals across the UK to host
evaluation projects
The Smart Solutions programme
-
www.smartsolutionsforhcai.co.uk - is targeting new
products and technologies developed by businesses in
healthcare or other commercial sectors that are not
currently in use, or have not been widely adopted, within
the NHS. These may include new types of medical equipment,
but could equally be technologies currently used in
non-healthcare applications, such as new types of packaging,
coatings or textiles. The programme is open to businesses or
other non-NHS organisations of any size, from any sector.
Programme director Bryan Griffiths from TrusTECH, the NHS
Innovation Hub for the North West of England which is
managing the project on a national basis, explained: "We are
looking for hospitals willing to test these innovative
products in ward and other clinical settings, and this may
well play a part in their ongoing infection control
programme. It is also an excellent opportunity for infection
control and nursing staff to be involved in a major
evaluation project.
"There is funding available for the evaluation process, to
help cover staff time, data collection and other costs. We
will be awarding evaluation projects to hospitals that can
demonstrate a high level of commitment to the project, a
willingness to work in partnership and robust organisational
leadership.
“Our aim is to find the most effective new solutions to
control HCAIs and we are keeping an open mind as to where
these could come from. Whether it is a product from a
medical company, something developed for a completely
different purpose or even an idea from an entrepreneurial
inventor working in their spare room, we will assess its
potential."
Entries will be assessed by an independent panel of experts
on the basis of their potential value in helping the NHS to
prevent or control the spread of HCAIs. The most promising
technologies will be shortlisted, and the evaluations will
begin in early 2009, with the duration depending on the
nature of the product. To express interest, please go to the
hospitals section of the Smart Solutions website and click
on the link to the Smart Solutions team.
Added Bryan Griffiths: "Reducing HCAIs is one of the top
priorities for the NHS in the coming years. It is investing
significant sums in improving infection prevention and
control and has set itself some challenging targets. While
the basic ways of reducing HCAIs are largely unchanged, new
technologies and equipment could help to meet these goals
more quickly. Hospitals will play a vital role in
identifying and evaluating the best new products and
technologies."
