The Anti-Infection Tool project is a national IT support system through which healthcare providers will be able to document, store and track in a simple and uniform way all information on healthcare-associated infections treated with antibiotics. Likewise, the so-called 'community-acquired infections '(i.e. infections contracted outside of a healthcare setting or an infection present on admission) and preventive antibiotic treatments will be recorded and monitored.
A project that is anchored at all levels of the county, a realistic budget and a carefully prepared schedule - these are the three conditions for the smooth introduction of the Anti-Infection Tool according to a recently issued evaluation report (in Swedish only) on both pilots.
"The idea is that the experience gained from the pilot projects will make it easier for other healthcare providers to implement the Anti-Infection Tool. The evaluation covers the actual introduction only. The system's functionality and ease of use will be looked into on the occasion of a follow-up in June [2012]," said Petra Hasselqvist, Project manager at the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR) and the person responsible for the development of the support tool at the Centre for eHealth in Sweden (Cehis).
The trials have been ongoing at two clinics of Uppsala County and two more in Västra Götaland County. The pilots are now in operation, and County-wide introduction is expected during the autumn of 2012.
Data transmission is made via the electronic health records system, and statistics are accessible through a web-based solution.
"The Anti-Infection Tool has two purposes. One is to prevent hospital-acquired infections. The other is to reduce the number of incorrect or unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions and thus hamper the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria," said Ms Hasselqvist.
Healthcare-associated infections are one of the most common diseases suffered by patients in hospitals or other healthcare facilities. Approximately, 10 % of all patients have such infections (e.g. infection of a surgical wound).
It is now possible for other healthcare providers to adhere to the Anti-Infection Tool, and preparation is underway in all Counties. The plan is for the tool to be used in all inpatient and parts of primary care facilities by the autumn of 2014.
"Municipal healthcare facilities are able to use the tool. The prerequisite is to have a medication module and computerised medical records," Ms Hasselqvist explained.
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