Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are a major concern for hospitals and healthcare facilities worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 8.9 million HAIs occur every year in acute and long-term care facilities in Europe. Levels of hand hygiene compliance in high-income countries rarely exceed 50% and HAIs in the EU hospitals have, on average, direct medical costs of €7 billion each year.
Manual contact tracing has long been used as a method for identifying and stopping the spread of HAIs. However, this process is often time-consuming, labour-intensive, and prone to errors. That’s where automated contact tracing comes in. By leveraging innovative technology, automated contact tracing solutions can significantly reduce the spread of HAIs in healthcare settings. Here are four reasons why:
Early Detection of Infections:
Automated contact tracing allows for the early detection of potential infections in healthcare facilities. By tracking the movements of individuals in the facility, automated contact tracing can quickly identify anyone who may have come into contact with an infected person. This helps to isolate potentially infected individuals and prevent the spread of infections.
Improved Accuracy:
- Automation not only allows for ease of recording but also quicker and more accurate reporting on this data. Information can be gathered immediately or retrieved later. Unlike manual tracing, which relies on individuals’ recollections of their movements, automated contact tracing uses precise location data to track their locations and a given time. This reduces the risk of missing potential contacts and helps to ensure that all individuals who may have been exposed are identified and isolated.
Reduced Labor Costs:
- Manual contact tracing can be a labour-intensive process, requiring significant time and resources from healthcare staff. This can strain already overburdened healthcare systems. Automated contact tracing can significantly reduce the burden on healthcare staff and free up resources for other critical tasks.
Cost-Effective:
- Automated contact tracing is also cost-effective. While the initial investment in technology may be higher, the long-term cost savings can be significant. By reducing the spread of HAIs and preventing outbreaks, hospitals can avoid the costs associated with treating infected patients, including extended hospital stays, additional treatments, and increased use of resources.
- Did you know that for each 30-bed hospital ward, just one HAI of high severity exceeds the annual budget for the Sani Nudge platform and alcohol-based products combined?
The importance of improved safety and security
In addition to the discussed benefits, hospitals employing automated contact tracing ensure a higher level of safety and security at their workplace. Healthcare workers are much more likely to be infected with various pathogens, including, for example, Covid-19 or MRSA, compared to other professions. However, according to a recent OECD report, only 1 in 2 healthcare workers believe their hospital management shows that patient and staff safety is a top priority. Even more surprisingly, just two-in-five surveyed health workers believe the staffing levels at their workplace are appropriate for ensuring patient safety.
Digitalization is an essential part of building sustainable and resilient healthcare systems. With Sani Nudge, every hospital has great potential to create resilient infection prevention programs that keep patients and staff safe from harm while reducing the cost of care.
Book a live demo today and experience how the Sani Nudge platform can help your facility:
- Detect infections early, improve accuracy and reduce costs
- Double hand hygiene compliance levels and empower sustainable behaviour change
