A new portable screen that improves productivity and patient safety by creating an environment of isolation or segregation around a patient or bed space has picked up the award for Best Technology for Improving Productivity .
Developed by the Royal College of Art in partnership with the NHS HCAI Technology Innovation Programme around British materials technology, RolaTube, KwickScreen is smaller when retracted and stronger when extended that any other medical screen available on the market today.
It enables healthcare workers to create additional space and can be used to deliver extra isolation areas for infected patients, as well as segregation between men, women, different age groups and different clinical specialities. It is already being used in 60 NHS trusts in the UK and in a total of eight countries around the world.
The judges said: “The effect on productivity is clear and the purpose is clear.
”Curtains are a mess, nurses tear them, and they fall off. This is an extremely good alternative.
”This isn’t a pipedream, but a product that has already been used by more than 60 trusts in the short time since it was launched. The manufacturer has also looked at the economics and worked out the financial productivity savings it provides trusts, rather than just saying it’s a nice idea compared to what currently exists.
The team has been very successful in bringing this product to market.”
The effect on productivity is clear and the purpose is clear. This isn’t a pipedream, but a product that has already been used by more than 60 trusts in the short time since it was launched.
During clinical trials the NHS conducted economic analysis showing that one KwickScreen saved around £7,500 per year in bedstock management when used for infection control. Other trusts have reported significant savings by using KwickScreens instead of rebuilds.
Inventor, Michael Korn, said: “By allowing medical staff to position walls wherever they are needed in just a matter of seconds, the KwickScreen ensures maximum use of space. Printed versions can also deliver a radical change to the feel of the healthcare environment with very positive healthcare outcomes.”
WINNER: Kwickscreen portable screen (Teal Furniture – Luke Keyes, Mike Brewster, Michael Korn, Denis Anscomb)
