ICNet Supports Infection Prevention Week with Launch of New Whitepaper

Oct. 16, 2012 - PRLog -- Gloucestershire (ENGLAND), ICNet International, the leading software provider for case management and surveillance for HAI and antimicrobial stewardship has strengthened its support of Infection Prevention Week through its Outbreak Preparedness focus.

The WHO estimates that 20,000 people die each year worldwide due to influenza. The very young and the elderly have the highest risk for hospitalization associated with influenza complications. Norovirus (Norwalk virus) is often seen in high numbers in the winter months, and is the most common cause of gastroenteritis. The virus is highly infectious, and only needs a small number of virus particles (10-100) to cause illness.

These viruses can be difficult to track, often resulting in late identification, ward or hospital closures and many sick patients. The Next Generation software offered by ICNet delivers enhanced outbreak reporting helping healthcare workers identify and track when an outbreak happens. This tool enables healthcare workers to focus their time and resource where they can deliver the most impact.

Sandra Callery, Director of Infection Prevention, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre says “Spending less time searching for information, allows more time for important dialogue between the infection prevention and control team and the staff on the patient units to which they are assigned. This gives our team a better opportunity to participate in infection prevention practice changes that enhance patient safety”.

“Our goal is to provide patients with a safer experience when they visit hospital, says Pat Beyer, President and CEO of ICNet, “We cannot control the origination of the bug, but we can help by putting healthcare workers in control of them and delivering the information they need to manage these outbreak effectively”.

ICNet have partnered with Infection Control Today to publish their latest Whitepaper, Outbreak Preparedness with an interesting case story from Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. The paper details the innovation helping to make a difference in this challenging arena. The whitepaper can be found at the Infection Control Today website http://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/solution-centers/201... or the ICNet website.