DORSET County Hospital has invested in new technology to help infection control efforts.

The Dorchester hospital has launched a new computer-based infection prevention system that will alert staff when patents are either infected or at risk of infection.

This will lead to swift action to prevent infections spreading and aid existing strategies to reduce infections such as MRSA and Clostridium difficile.

Anne Smith, lead nurse for infection prevention, said: “This will be of huge benefit to assist us in improving patient care.

“It will lead to earlier treatment and more effective infection prevention management for our patients and will enable my team to work more efficiently.

“We are delighted to have this system in place – we are able to use the system on our mobile tablets around the wards.”

The implementation of the new ICNET software was delivered in record time.

Katie Houghton, founder of ICNet International, said: “The effects of healthcare associated infections must not be underestimated in terms of the impact to the patient as well as the economy.

“The latest NICE Quality Standard on surgical site infections highlights the importance of data surveillance and feedback on quality to surgeons – we are delighted to provide technology that enables quality improvement.”

Shelley McIndoe, head of ICT at the hospital, said: “The installation was successfully delivered and the ICNet project team have been supportive throughout.”