The dart ICS system is currently in testing at a group of hospitals within the UK and will allow browser based access to information for the infection control community allowing for tracking of information, automated alerts, and dynamic reporting for easy viewing of all management information to meet national guidelines. The system also enables the management of infection outbreaks within the acute environment.

The system is designed for full mobile working within the acute environment and is being tested on the newly released mobile clinical assistant.

As well as the ability to manage infections on a patient centric basis the system will also provide acute and community collaboration by improving data integrity and alerting of critical diagnostic information and ensuring that all communications between the wider health economy is clear, comprehensive and accessible.

• Alerts from the lab and PAS systems provide early warning so immediate action can be taken thus:
  
  • The LIMS interface can send automatic alerts as soon as specific ‘alert organisms’ such as RSA, VRE or C Diff are reported in the lab reducing the risk of spread of infection
  • The current patient location as well as past locations can be tracked via the PAS interface both for the current and past episodes of care freeing up beds typically blocked by HAI patients (HAI- Healthcare associated infections)
  • reducing medication costs

• Improved accuracy of data collection through the use of toughbooks at the bedside
  Automatic routing of workflows so less duplication of tasks.
• Incident Management providing real time information to multiple resources.
• Early detection of outbreaks and faster action leads to reduced hospital stay, reduction in bed/ward closures and less cross infection. Saves approximately £2,300 per patient visit.
• Ability to address mandatory reporting issues from Department of Health - free up the Infection control team so they spend less time producing the increasingly demanding reports (required both locally and nationally) and more time on the wards and educating staff.
• Timely, meaningful feedback to clinicians and board member.
• Enables a proactive approach, rather than reactive.
• Auditing of the system proves actions taken and care provided to patients.
• Performance is measured, enabling proof of achievement for both local and national targets!
• Early detection of risk factors/causes of infection, therefore reducing further infections.
• The PCT served by the Acute Trust can access the Plumtree Group dart ICS system which will enable surveillance on community acquired infection and provide geographical overlays of incidents

Case study to appear here soon...

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• Healthcare Division Brochure