Innovation UK > News > Innovation News > NHS Supply Chain announces Top 10 Innovations

A pouch that saves premature babies lives is just one of the products that has made it into the NHS Supply Chain?s Top 10 Innovations of 2009.

Following the recent launch of its Innovation Scorecard, which encourages suppliers to register innovative products for contract consideration, NHS Supply Chain has compiled a list of products that demonstrate significant benefits for the NHS in terms of value, efficiency or patient care.

The Innovation Scorecard, which NHS Supply Chain developed in partnership with the NHS National Innovation Centre (NIC), encourages suppliers to register innovative products for consideration through an online portal.

??Innovation is vital to the NHS,? says Emma Tandy, Task Force Manager for NHS Supply Chain. ?It is key in developing and improving processes within trusts for the benefit of staff and patients alike.?

?Delivering a new product from bench to bedside can often take anywhere between three and five years. By working collaboratively with the NHS National Innovation Centre (NIC), we are recognising innovation and supporting suppliers to bring their innovative products to market.?

 Developed in partnership with the NHS National Innovation Centre (NIC), the Innovation Scorecard? provides a central hub for suppliers wishing to register new products for potential use within the NHS. The NHS Supply Chain is then able to offer pilot contracts to suppliers, with clinical feedback obtained via its Task Force network during the evaluation process.

?To date, we?ve received 19 new innovation submissions,? says Ms Tandy. ?All are in different areas and are at varying stages of assessment.

?Our definition of innovation is a product that is brand new to the NHS, or an improved product that can demonstrate significant benefits for the NHS in terms of value, efficiency or patient care.  Products that fit these criteria are ideal for consideration through the new Innovation Scorecard process.?

NHS Supply Chain?s Top Ten innovations for 2009

?       Haemoband Surgical Suction Ligator (Seward Thackray)
Makes ligation quicker and easier, thus saving time, cost and easing patient discomfort

?       Baby Life Support Pouch or BLiSP (BLI Healthcare)
BLiSP combats hypothermia in premature babies, increasing the chance of survival

?       Integuseal Microbiant Sealant (Kimberley Clark)
Fights against surgical site infections by forming a protective layer on the skin throughout even extended surgical procedures

?       Endobronchial Blocker Tube (Smiths)
Simplifies endobronchial blockade of the left or right lung for procedures requiring low invasive one-lung ventilation to eliminate potential loss of the airway

?       RhinoPinch® Nose Clip
Aids quick and effective treatment that improves patient experience and frees up clinical time and resource

?       Fios First Entry (Applied Medical)
Safeguard? technology creates an open peritoneal space with minimal penetration which reduces the risk of first entry injuries

?       Single Incisional Access Port or SILS? (Covidien UK)

 SILS? is the first device specifically indicated for multiple instrument access through a single incision in the patient?s navel that leaves no scar, reduced post operative discomfort and a quicker healing process

?       Vygon Timestrip

The Vygon Timestrip is a single use, peripheral cannula dwell time indicator that enables clinicians and patients to assess how long a cannula has been in place and facilitates improved hospital infection procedures

?       Curtain and Blind Cleaning System (OTEX)
By converting the air used in the curtain cleaning cycle to 90% pure oyxgen, the OTEX Curtain and Blind Cleaning System uses ?ozonated? water to kill bacteria, viruses and superbugs such as MRSA and Clostridium Difficile

?       Dyson Airblade?
This revolutionary hand dryer, containing a HEPA filter, hygienically dries hands by ?scraping? water off with a jet of air travelling at 400 miles an hour