Holographic nurse to help reduce the risk of infection

University College Hospital (UCH) is the first in the country to introduce a 'virtual nurse' to greet staff and patients on their arrival and remind them about the importance of following good infection control practice.

As well as advising staff, patients and visitors about the importance of hand hygiene and cleanliness, the virtual nurse also keeps patients and visitors informed about other Trust projects.

The virtual nurse, funded by Interserve who provide facilities services at the hospital, is just one tactic being used by the facilities team to improve awareness of the importance of infection control. Others include, signs, recorded messages prompting staff and patients to clean their hands, patient information leaflets and training and education programmes.

The virtual nurse is reflected via high definition video projectors onto a specially-developed material, which produces a crystal clear image.

Visitors will be regularly prompted by the virtual nurse to clean their hands at the many hand gel dispenser points around the hospital. The unit has two working dispenser units built into the design, so visitors can take immediate action.

A short study suggests the unit is being well received by patients and visitors. One in three people in the UCH atrium used the unit to clean their hands during a two-hour period in November.

Should the trial prove successful, patients can look forward to seeing additional virtual units throughout the Trust, welcoming patients, visitors and staff at its other key locations – providing a wide range of patient and visitor information.

Trevor Payne, director of estates and facilities at UCLH, said: "We are proud to be the first hospital in the UK to introduce a virtual nurse as part of our campaign to tackle infection.

"This initiative will help us to promote hand hygiene and deliver other key messages in a consistent and compelling manner. Raising awareness through high-profile initiatives like this enables us to educate our patients, visitors and staff alike."

Mike White, regional director at Interserve said: "Interserve is delighted to be able to support this worthwhile initiative. The virtual nurse is a unique communication tool which uses the very latest technology, and is designed to increase awareness of a series of key initiatives at the hospital. The system will enhance the experience of the million plus patients and visitors who pass through the hospital each year and support our combined objectives of reducing infection and improving cleanliness standards at the Trust."

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For further information please contact:
Hannah Simpkins 020 7902 2000
hannah.simpkins@interserve.com
External Marketing Manager, Interserve

About Interserve
Interserve's vision is to be the Trusted Partner of all our stakeholders. We are one of the world's foremost support services and construction companies, operating in the public and private sectors in the UK and internationally. We offer advice, design, construction, equipment and facilities management services for society's infrastructure. Interserve is based in the UK, has revenue of £1.9 billion and a workforce of nearly 50,000 people worldwide.

General website: www.interserve.com