Lancet and ICNet announce Partnership Agreement bringing new focus to patient safety

Nov. 9, 2012 - PRLog -- Stroud (ENGLAND), Johannesburg (South Africa) November 9, 2012 – ICNet the leading software provider for case management and surveillance for HAI and antimicrobial stewardship has today announced a new partnership with Lancet Laboratories, which is believed to strengthen delivering a safer patient care environment in South Africa

Antimicrobial resistance is a global concern. The WHO (World Health Organisation) confirms that infections caused by resistance microorganisms often fail to respond to standard treatment, resulting in prolonged illness and greater risk of death. Studies conducted over the years indicate that antibiotic use is unnecessary or inappropriate in 50% of cases in the US (CDC). The cost to the economy runs into billions of dollars, with excess of $65 billion in the US alone on 2010 (CDC).

One way to help combat this trend in South Africa is to ensure Clinical Microbiologists within each region have instant access to reports, alerts and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns to ensure the right drug is prescribed with the right dosage at the right time within each facility.

Katie Houghton, COO of ICNet says, “The partnership with Lancet Laboratories is a significant step forward for providing hospitals with a safer environment in which patients can be treated. Unfortunately in many cases Clinical Microbiologists are not involved in antimicrobial prescribing until a patient is already on the wrong drug. Not only does this have financial implications, more importantly it means the patient is not receiving the treatment they need. She continues, “The focus Lancet Laboratories is delivering in South Africa will change this. Clinical Microbiologists will have real time information as well as a holistic view of what is happening in each region. Each facility regardless of location will benefit from their expertise. This shows a great contribution to deliver high quality products and services to their market, which in turn will ensure patients deliver the care they need”.

Lancet Laboratories, in keeping with their motto “key to diagnostic excellence” thus demonstrates the leadership to grasp new technologies to enhance service delivery as well as improve and strengthen customer relationships.

Dr. Peter Cole, CEO of Lancet Laboratories, said “this is another important development in our drive for continuous improvement in our diagnostic processes to support clinical decision making. The use of this technology empowers the clinician to make timeous treatment decisions, with a resultant improvement in patient outcomes.”

About Lancet Laboratories

Lancet Laboratories is one of the leading pathology laboratories operating throughout Africa, providing vital diagnostic and monitoring pathology services in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Committed to providing diagnostic excellence, Lancet Laboratories is SANAS accredited, and adheres to international criteria set out according to ISO Standard 17025/15189.

Lancet operates in private healthcare environments and provides specialist pathology services for the corporate, insurance and industrial sectors. We offer an extensive range of pathology services, from sophisticated molecular and cytogenetic investigations to advanced chemical analyses.

For more information about Lancet Laboratories, contact Peter de Wet, +27 11 358 0800

About ICNet

ICNet is a leading healthcare software provider dedicated to improving patient safety, improving healthcare worker efficiencies and delivering cost effective innovative products. Focused on the reduction of Healthcare Associated Infections through its state-of the-art case management and surveillance software, for surgical site infections, infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship, ICNet designs, develops and supports multi-lingual, web-based software solutions that are being used globally saving time and aiding effective action and putting healthcare workers in control of their data.

ICNet™ has achieved Meaningful Use status.

For more information please contact Tina Herlihy from ICNet, +44 (0)1452 814090.