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The Infection Control Estimate (otherwise known as ICE) is a new digital tool, intended to help staff prepare for outbreaks of infection in hospitals. Based on military planning processes, this idea came to fruition at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Adult Nursing Lecturer, Matthew Wynn, was working in the NHS when he realised that current outbreak management processes could be more efficiently developed into a digital tool. Working alongside colleague Dr Ryan George, Clinical Scientist and Surveillance Officer, an Excel based prototype was created.

This was just the start for ‘Project ICE’. After nine months of pitching, the Northern Care Alliance (NCA) began using the prototype in practice. Matthew describes ICE as a “new route to getting a clear outbreak management procedure” with “more of this being needed in the NHS”.

Dr Ryan George said: “This project is a great example of collaboration and innovation during what has arguably been our specialism's most testing time.”

Following such positive feedback, Project ICE was nominated for an ‘IPS Award for Excellence’. Now being used as an example nationally, ICE won a silver award, coming second place.

Speaking on this, Matthew and Ryan said they have since had contact from many individuals seeking to find out more about the project and wanting to take part. They hope this positive response continues into the future, with the project continuing to gain interest and support.

Matthew said: “I hope the ICE tool will eventually become a standard tool used widely by healthcare organisations in the UK and beyond, to improve the management of outbreaks of communicable disease and ultimately reduce the harm caused by these outbreaks. I also hope it will serve as an example of what nurses can achieve in relation to digital innovation in nursing practice.”