Key Features & Functionality

Single, comprehensive easy-to-use solution

Using laboratory based data, complemented by ward-level surveillance and links to hospital information systems, alert organisms detected by the laboratory (e.g. MRSA) allow alert conditions (e.g. wound infection) to be detected by clinicians and admissions (e.g. MRSA carrier) in a single easy to use IT solution.

Alerts from the laboratory and hospital information systems provide early warning so immediate action can be taken:

• Reduces risk of spread of infection
• Improves resource management, releasing beds typically blocked by HAI patients
• Reduces medication costs
   

Intelligent case management

Using a patient-centric database, ICNet allows each patient to have a number of infection control cases during their lifetime (called episodes), with each case potentially involving a number of alert organisms and alert conditions. ICNet will automatically add any new results to a relevant open case, otherwise new cases will be automatically created in the system.
 

Proactive performance-based system 

ICNet drives efficiency gains and performance, allowing staff and resources to be focused where they are really needed:
 

• ICT staff spend less time producing increasingly demanding reports and more time with patients on wards, teaching staff, research and other initiatives
• Less duplication of effort
• Early outbreak detection and faster consequent action results in reduced hospital stay, reduced bed / ward closures and less cross-infection – potentially saving thousands of dollars per patient visit
• Management reporting enabling proof of achievement for both local and national targets
• Shared system resources enabling effective surveillance on community- acquired infection, and delivering competitive advantage to the laboratory over other providers
• Timely, meaningful feedback to clinicians and other stakeholders  

Interfacing features include: 

• Immediate and automatic receipt of alerts via a laboratory interface when specific alert organisms are detected (e.g. MRSA, GRE, C.Diff, ESBL results)
• Links to the HIS which alert users on-screen, through email, or SMS of high-risk ‘alert patients’ re-admissions into specific wards and hospitals
• Complete validation of all data imports
• Real-time log of all patient locations
   

Reporting features:

• Easy creation of outbreak reports, including Cross Infection Matrix and Timeline Gantt reports
• De-duplication of report results (e.g. multiple patient specimens are only shown if separated by more than a set number of days
• Routine report saving of parameters for quick access
• Ad-hoc report generation based on multiple database fields and user-defined parameters
   

System features:

• Automatic creation of checklists of organisms / condition associated features, ensuring accuracy and consistent recording of data
• Real-time alerts via on-screen messages, email and SMS
• Automatic merging of patient records to avoid duplication
• Powerful integrated word processing, incident reports, task management and diary facilities
• Full audit trail functionality for each ICNet user

Mobile ready

In addition to workstations, ICNet is developed to be used on mobile technology, even when a wireless network is not available. If no wireless network is available, once the mobile device is docked patient information is uploaded to the device allowing patient information to be accessed whilst notes and observation checklists are completed at the bedside. 

When ward rounds are completed the mobile device is simply re-docked, allowing all patient details to be synchronized with the ICNet server, ensuring data accuracy and single data entry. 

 

Local and regional surveillance 

ICNet allows the management and surveillance of healthcare-acquired infections at a local level, whilst enabling regional level surveillance, supporting mandatory schemes and initiatives.