ANTI-SUPERBUGS PCP Fighting Multi-Drug Resistant Organisms in hospitals through Pre-commercial Procurement

ANTI-SUPERBUGS PCP aims to improve the quality of care processes in hospitals and to reduce both the costs and the collateral effects caused by Multi-Drug Resistant Organisms (MDROs, aka “Superbugs”) and other Health Associated Infections’ pathogens. This is to be achieved through the development and testing of prototype devices and ICT services that can: 1) non-invasively test for the presence of MDROs and other pathogens, and 2) provide continuous information and remote alerts to health professionals on contamination by pathogens on high contact surfaces, applicable to existing healthcare environments. The project, co-funded by the EU H2020 Programme, is coordinated by AQuAS, which also acts as the lead procurer. It currently involves 4 procuring entities (Institut Catala d’Oncologia; Universitaetsklinikum Aachen; Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Provincia Autonoma di Trento) plus partners with relevant expertise in public procurement (Sara Bedin) and technology (RISE). MDROs infections impact significant on morbidity, mortality and increased hospitalisation and costs, which adversely affect patient experience. MDROs are invisible to the naked eye and can survive on surfaces for many days, being transferred via human contact (patients, staff) or surfac contact. It is imperative to provide detection systems that can be easily integrated into healthcare facilities, enabling the control of MDROs. An open PCP will allow R&D service contracts to be awarded to a number of providers, in parallel, in a three-phase approach - 1) Solution design; 2) Prototyping; and 3) Original development and validation & testing. A Prior Information Notice will be published shortly in the OJEU, including information on an Open Market Consultation procedure.