Health Technology Assessment of Ultraviolate light based imaging technology to reduce burden of hospital acquired infections: A Study Protocol

Abstract

Background: HAIs impart a huge clinical and economic burden in India. Healthcare worker’s compliance to hand hygiene protocol can play an important role in preventing the transmission of cross-infection and thus reducing the HAIs. Over last few years, there has been a wide use of ultraviolate (UV) based fluorescent markers for assessing quality of hand hygiene. This Health Technology Assessment (HTA) study will be conducted with the aim to identify low cost, easy and feasible strategy having potential to get integrated in the current health system to deal with issue of HAI in ICU settings.Methods: The study will be conducted in three phases. The impact of innovation on hand hygiene compliance will be assessed quantitatively by undertaking meta-analysis of secondary literature on UV based imaging tool in improving hand hygiene compliance in ICUs. Following this, the feasibility of using this innovation in developing country like India will be assessed. Decision Analytic modelling will be conducted for cost-effectiveness analysis using health systems perspective. Cost per ICU stay (day) and QALY gained will be calculated and ICER will be reported to comment on the cost-effectiveness of the innovation.Discussion: The HTA study will provide a comprehensive overview of the effectiveness of UV light based imaging device in reduction of HAIs. The results of this HTA study will generate evidence for the decision makers for its incorporation in public healthcare system of India.Systematic review registration: The protocol has been registered in Prospero (Prospero Id: CRD42018108960)