Luton and Dunstable NHS Foundation Trust has launched the UK’s first Patient Admittance Pack to help cut healthcareassociated infection rates (HCAI).
The Pack recently won the prestigious 2009 Innovation Competition for the East of England NHS in the category of Infection Control. The project was developed by the clinical engineering department with support from the infection control team, the paediatric department and medical device manufacturers, Welch Allyn and Masimo UK. Included within the pack is a single-use Flexiport blood pressure (BP) cuff from Welch Allyn. A clinical study has found that 45% of BP cuffs remain contaminated even after cleaning, increasing the infection risk of essential monitoring equipment. Unlike reuseable cuffs, the single-use Flexiport cuff does not move from one patient to the next, reducing the chance of cross-contamination and the need for sanitisation. Brian Clancy, clinical engineering manager said: “HCAIs are a major burden for the NHS and require novel solutions; advancements such as this demonstrate the importance of innovative equipment and the commitment of Luton and Dunstable to reducing infection rates.” The packs are gradually being introduced throughout the hospital and are already in full use in the paediatric department. The Luton and Dunstable NHS Foundation Trust has now completely standardised to the Flexiport cuff throughout the entire hospital.
