Sheffield neonatal team reduces infections by 75%

MORE premature babies are being protected from infections which might otherwise prolong their hospital stay thanks to an innovative campaign launched by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Doctors and nurses from the Jessop Wing’s neonatal unit – which cares for some of the region’s most vulnerable babies – have successfully reduced infection rates by over 75 per cent over the past two and half years.

Now up for a national Patient Safety Award, the ‘Reduce the Rate’ campaign has seen infections drop from a rate of 51 in June 2010 to 11 in December 2012.

Key initiatives included: using waist-high screens to create sterile zones around equipment trolleys, cleansing babies’ skin with a stronger antiseptic and introducing ‘barrier nursing’ where staff wore gloves and aprons when caring for babies while in an incubator. The Jessop Wing’s neonatal intensive care unit is believed to be the only unit in the country using the latter technique to prevent infections.

Dr Elizabeth Pilling, consultant neonatologist from the Sheffield’s Jessop Wing Hospital, said: “Sheffield’s neonatal unit cares for the region’s most fragile preterm infants, so we’re delighted that our ‘Reduce the Rate’ campaign has dramatically improved infection rates over a sustained period of time. The campaign is in line with the Trust’s zero tolerance approach to all preventable infections, and is a great example of how nurses, hospital matrons, consultants, specialists in microbiology- and junior doctors can all work together to reduce infection rates for the benefit of patients. Not only has the campaign played a pivotal role in reducing the number of days premature babies spend on a ventilator, but it also means many can go home earlier.”

Throughout the campaign staff were able to attend drop-in sessions where they could suggest ways infection rates could be reduced, post comments in a suggestion box and see the ongoing results of the campaign on staff noticeboards. In addition, to washing their hands between seeing patients, consultants demonstrated the importance of good hand hygiene by encouraging team handwashing at the start of ward rounds, so that junior doctors could learn by their example.

The time babies too small, weak or immature to feed receive their fluids was changed from early evening visiting times to after midnight when the unit is less busy and there is greater opportunity to prevent infections

As part of the campaign, all junior doctors were given rigorous infection control training from infection control nurses, doctors and neonatal nurses and doctors.

The Jessop Wing’s ‘Reduce the Rate’ campaign has been shortlisted for a Patient Safety Award in the Infection Control and Hygiene category. The awards are run by the Health Service Journal and Nursing Times, with the winner set to be announced at a special award ceremony in London on Tuesday 9 July.

ENDS
 


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