The Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust is proud to announce that it has been
awarded the status of the
world’s first International Centre of Excellence in infection prevention from Advanced Sterilization Products (ASP), a member of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies, a leading developer of innovative instrument sterilisation, high-level disinfection, and area decontamination technologies.
Following a reduction of over 80% in Clostridium difficile infections alone in the period 1st April 2008 – 31st March 2011, saving in excess of £2.3 million, hospital leaders from across Europe, the Middle East and Africa will now be travelling to Liverpool to learn from how the hospital has significantly reduced the number of infections.
Prior to November 2008, the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust was one of the poorest performing Trusts in the UK in terms of infection control. During a prolonged outbreak of norovirus in 2007, 1,770 bed days were lost in three months costing the Trust around £708,000.
With a growing body of evidence suggesting that traditional manual processes often results in incomplete cleaning, the Royal Liverpool decided to take action and began to search for innovative methods to eliminate infection-causing pathogens.On a visit to the United States, Sue Redfern, Deputy Director of Nursing noted that John Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore attributed some of the reductions in their healthcare associated infections (HCAI) rates to deep cleaning methods and area decontamination.
The Trust introduced a variety of different measures to reduce their infection rates. This included better referral pathways and communication between the infection teams and other clinical teams, greater provision of rapid diagnostic testing, and new isolation ward facilities. This all led to more timely identification and isolation of patients who were infectious to others. Alongside a greater emphasis on cleaning provision and standards across the hospitals, the Trust invested in a ground-breaking hydrogen peroxide mist technology. This works by spraying out a low concentration mist, which is dispersed to kill multiple pathogens rapidly. The technology was introduced in November 2008, and within four months the system was already saving the hospital £500 per day to norovirus alone.
Staff also witnessed a dramatic reduction in cases of Clostridiumdifficile and MRSA. From 1st April 2008 to 31st March 2011 there was an 80.5% reduction in hospital acquired Clostridiumdifficilecases and an 86% reduction in hospital acquired MRSA cases. Speaking about the technology, Diane Wake, Executive Director of Nursing and Operations and Director of Infection Prevention and Control at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital stated:
“Patients can be reassured that we are continuing to see significant falls in the number of C.diff and MRSA cases. We have halved our C. diff rates in the last year. With a greater emphasis on cleaning and cleaning standards, and the use of innovative area decontamination solutions, we have made tackling healthcare associated infections our top priority, and our current performance clearly shows that our efforts are making a huge difference; we have gone from being one of the poorest to one of the best performing trusts in the country for infection control.”
Mark Sutcliffe, a patient at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, also welcomed its national leadership in fighting HCAIs:
“Cleanliness should always be the highest priority – everybody plays a part and is committed to help stay on top of HCAIs. This is particularly important for me, as I’m highly immune-suppressed, meaning cleanliness is constantly front-of-mind. My immune system is next to zero, so if something is missed I could become very ill. I feel confident that at The Royal Liverpool University Hospital, I am well-protected. Having patients who are happy and emotionally comfortable helps the process of getting well.”
Advanced Sterilization Products are committed to supporting infection prevention by shaping the environment and driving new standards of care through Education, Engagement and Scientific Evidence. The Centre of Excellence at Liverpool will provide a platform for clinical leaders across EMEA to come together and share best practise and utilise the global leading facilities the NHS is investing in Liverpool.
Rebecca Eldridgefrom Advanced Sterilization Products stated:
“ASP seeks to dramatically raise the level of health and safety of all individuals worldwide. As the industry's infection prevention leader, ASP is focused on helping to ensure the safest possible environments for patients and their families, healthcare workers, providers and communities. The turnaround in infection rates at Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospital NHS Trust is one that clinical leaders globally should hear about. That is why we are delighted to announce they are to become the world’s first International Centre of Excellence in infection prevention. This status will allow healthcare practitioners globally to come together now and in the future to be at the cutting edge of ensuring we eradicate Healthcare Associated infection in our hospitals.”