FutureNova has launched its new rugged medical-grade iPad case to help protect clinicians and patients from the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) as adoption of mobile technology increases within the NHS.
Mobile tablets such as iPads have helped to transform working practices for NHS hospital doctors, and surgical teams have also found them invaluable in the operating theatre.
However, with approximately 300,000 patients affected by an HCAI every year, costing the NHS an estimated £1billion in total, prevention of transferring infections across hospital equipment is a key concern for healthcare providers. Patients with an HCAI spend an average of an extra 11 days in hospital.
Digital innovation is essential to improving the quality of patient care in future and it is clear that mobile technology will be an integral part of that
The FlipPad, made for the iPad Air and iPad Air 2, has been designed to be easily cleaned with standard infection control sprays and resistant to shock and accidental spillages.
The product was unveiled to the market at the recent Infection Prevention Society Annual Conference held in Liverpool.
The innovation enables clinicians to use standard surgical gloves to operate an iPad touchscreen via the FlipPad. It features a new antimicrobial glass that resists bacterial growth and other materials have been tested with a wide range of infection control sprays.
Developed in consultation with doctors and nurses at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, the FlipPad can hang on any standard NHS bedrail while a clinician is examining the patient.
The European mobile health market is predicted to grow at 61.6% a year, while in the UK the Department of Health has plans to arm healthcare professionals with access to information they need about a patient in real time via mobile devices.
The FlipPad will assist the NHS in its efforts to reduce instances of Norovirus and C.difficile by enabling the use of mobile technology everywhere in the NHS where infection prevention is important.
Professor Tony Young, national clinical director for innovation NHS England, said: “Digital innovation is essential to improving the quality of patient care in future and it is clear that mobile technology will be an integral part of that.
Innovation will be crucial in providing clinicians with the tools they need to improve efficiency and deliver better care for patients, including the prevention and management of healthcare-associated infections
“Innovation will be crucial in providing clinicians with the tools they need to improve efficiency and deliver better care for patients, including the prevention and management of healthcare-associated infections.”
In recognition of its value to healthcare organisations, the FlipPad project has been awarded funding from Innovate UK, an executive non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills.
Mike Casey, a former NHS director and now chief executive of FutureNova, said: “As the NHS introduces more technology into clinical settings to improve care, there is a real risk for infections to be passed between patients, staff and visitors. With this in mind, we created the FlipPad, where every aspect of the product has been chosen to ensure it can be easily and safely cleaned with standard infection control sprays to reach the highest hygiene standards. Our team is focused on innovating quality products to support the NHS with patient safety initiatives.”
