“Development of criteria for limiting nosocomial infections and optimization of healthcare resources  with application algorithms and roadmaps”

Project/Contract Number: Nr. NVD-9/103-2024 (NVD pilotprojekts Nr. 12)

Project Funding: €1,600,004, RSU: 510282,78 EUR,  East Hosptital: 1 089717,26  EUR,

Project Lead: Ludmila Vīksna
Project Duration: November 1, 2024 – March 31, 2026

Objective:

To optimize healthcare resources for preventing and controlling nosocomial  infections (NCI) to save lives and the health of patients and healthcare  workers (HCW)

Project Tasks:

1. Conduct an expanded verification of NIs and analyze the impact of human factors on their spread in Latvia’s largest hospital (East Hospital), utilizing microbiological, clinical, and other identification tools, including machine learning (ML).
2. Define criteria for monitoring NIs and staff behavioral patterns, developing implementation algorithms and roadmaps.
3. Develop and pilot a training program for healthcare staff to reduce NI risks.

Objectives:

1. Manual prepared for submission to the Centre for Disease Prevention and  Control (Latvia), which will include:

1.1. Mathematical tool for predicting NCI:

1.1.1 Checklist for predicting and detecting NCI in hospitalized patients

1.1.2. Evaluation of new microbiological tests applied within project

1.2. Clinical recommendations and instructions for using the NCI tool in the form of  algorithms and roadmaps

1.3. Developed training program on reducing the risk of NCI for HCW

2. Training on reducing the risk of NCI conducted for ~500 HCW

Team:

Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) is the leading partner in the project, with an expert team from medicine and science fields.

• Ludmila Vīksna: Prof., Dr. habil. Med., Head of the RSU Infectology Department, adviser to the East Hospital board in strategic infectious diseases. With experience leading 7 projects over the past decade, she will lead the project, engage with the public and medical professionals, and develop clinical algorithms and roadmaps.
• Oksana Koļesova: Dr. Med., RSU Associate Professor, Principal Researcher. Experienced in project implementation, responsible for ethics approval, result interpretation, and preparing algorithms and roadmaps.
• Andrejs Ivanovs: Dr. Soc., RSU Associate Professor, Head of the Statistics Teaching Lab. Participant in over 10 international projects, leader of 2, and experienced in statistical data processing for pharmaceutical companies in Latvia and Europe.
• Jevgenijs Proskurins: Dr. Phys., RSU Assistant Professor, Head of the Physics Department, specializing in data collection and processing.
• Aleksandrs Koļesovs: Dr. Psych., LU Professor. With experience in three RSU projects over the past five years, he will analyze data and interpret results.
• Maija Eglīte: RSU Professor, Occupational Safety and Environmental Health Specialist. She will oversee healthcare staff training in NI risk reduction.
• Dace Bantauska: Mg.Sc.Admin. Educ., Mg.Paed. Experienced as a coordinator/administrator in five projects, she will manage risks and oversee workgroup activities and coordination.
• Haralds Plaudis: Dr. Med., RSU Professor, East Hospital Member of the Board, principal executor, and leading researcher in various national research programs (VPP) and fundamental and applied research projects (FLPP).
• Māris Liepiņš: Dr. Med., Head of the Infection Control Department at East Hospital.
• Baiba Niedre Otomere: Dr. Biol., East Hospital Specialist in Epidemiological Research and participant in several international projects.