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to be supported properly with education, training and assessment. To follow ANTT, the model now providing this so widely internationally, means the healthcare sector is increasingly talking the same practice language for matters of aseptic practice, whether that be clinical practice, education or research. That’ s got to be a good thing for patient safety.
QWhen did the evaluation aspect launch?AAs the traction started to grow in the UK, the big players in the industry noticed that when their clinical staff approached hospitals with products, staff would ask,‘ Does that work with ANTT?’ or‘ Is that ANTT compliant?’ And they were thinking,‘ What ' s ANTT?’ So we started to see requests from the big companies to tell them more about ANTT and how they could align their products with it to support best practice and improve patient safety. Our main mission is a jigsaw, and ANTT provides a very important piece of it, but we realize that |
industry has an important part too, because they’ re making products that people are using every day that can help improve aseptic technique. So we created an independent process for evaluating products that support aseptic technique, that doesn’ t involve us having any vested interest in product sales or shares.
QWhat standards do you apply when evaluating a product for ANTT compliance?AWe evaluate many different types of products that are used in the pursuit of effective aseptic technique. There’ s no exhaustive list, but there are principles that we look for: Is the product fit for purpose? Is it made with high enough quality materials? What design factors inhibit or support aseptic practice?QHow ® did Medline’ s SmartStep CVC dressing change kit measure up?
AFirst and foremost, it met the normal expectations of a sterile drape that can support line insertion. But Medline |
goes over and above that by thinking of the next steps of the dressing change process, in making sure staff have the right equipment in the right place. And then you’ ve thought about another step: You’ ve organized the equipment in a way that makes it easier to follow the right sequence than the wrong sequence. And then over and above that, you are individually protecting Key-Parts, with individual pockets, reducing risk of contamination. Altogether, the Medline SmartStep was assessed to be highly supportive of ANTT Principles.
QHow do you see the progress in getting ANTT to a point like CPR?AThe world’ s a big place and time is short. It’ s always going to be a work in progress, but I think we’ re well on the way now with over 35 countries using ANTT to different levels. The aim feels possible now and I think we will get there, hopefully in my lifetime! |