Aims

To identify and evaluate sustainable innovations in infection prevention and control (IPC) that reduce carbon emissions without compromising patient safety or healthcare outcomes, specifically we will; 

• Identify and evaluate opportunities for reducing the carbon footprint of IPC practices
• Co-develop sustainable IPC solutions through stakeholder engagement 
• Generate frameworks, and guidance to support sustainable IPC decision-making 

Methods

• Conduct an analysis of NHS supplies data to identify single-use medical products by volume and those with potential for reuse 
• Identify gaps key gaps and limitations in existing guidance and identify opportunities to facilitate reuse or make IPC advice more sustainable
• Generate evidence to inform cost-benefit analysis of reprocessing 
• Establish an expert IPC review panel to;
  • identify where IPC concerns are outdated or irrelevant or;
  • infection risk has been overestimated
  • advise on  sustainable solutions for single use products
  • comment on other emerging factors influencing single-use decisions
• Develop practical toolkits and guidance documents 
• Create a decision-support frameworks that integrate environmental, clinical, and operational considerations 
• Inform and shape IPC policy, practice and guidelines through evidence based interventions