App launched to support nurses’ infection control decision making

Social care nurses in Scotland can now access the latest infection prevention and control (IPC) guidance in their pocket thanks to a new app launched this week.

The preventing infection in social care settings app, which went live on Monday, is a new tool to support staff working in social care settings to make safe decisions quickly.

It was developed in partnership between the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), NHS Education for Scotland (NES) and the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI).

The app, which is available for mobile devices and the web, is based on an NES pocket resource on preventing infection in social care settings and aims to build on existing IPC knowledge and good practice.

“This new app means workers have easy instant access to infection prevention and control guidance exactly when they need it" - Maree Allison

It comes as part of an expanding suite of digital tools produced by the DHI called the Right Decision Service, which aims to provide health and care staff with support to make safe decisions quickly “on-the-go” based on validated evidence.

Welcoming the launch, Scotland’s minister for social care, mental wellbeing and sport, Maree Todd, said: “The app is a great example of collaborative working to develop a user-friendly resource for social care staff, ensuring the latest infection prevention and control guidance is at their fingertips.

“I am pleased to see that this app has been shaped by social care staff to support and enhance their practice and ultimately improve care for people they support.”

The app was trialled with health and care workers across different settings in Scotland, including some from South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership.

Ian Beattie, head of health and social care at the partnership, said: “South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership continues to be committed to promoting the use of digital applications.

“The preventing infection in social care app is a welcome addition to the suite of current support tools, alongside the Decision Support for Adult Support and Protection app and information available to frontline social care staff delivering services.”

Partners behind the app have also welcomed the launch.

Maree Allison, SSSC acting chief executive, said: “This new app means workers have easy instant access to infection prevention and control guidance exactly when they need it.

“Using it to supplement their knowledge will help the workforce build confidence in their practice.”

Meanwhile Karen Reid, NES chief executive, said: “The app was developed with the involvement of the adult social care workforce to help support and enhance their practice and learning in infection prevention and control.

“Technology is a great enabler. Working collaboratively with partners, this is a great example of how we can use it to improve health and social care services and better outcomes for people.”