When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, Alder Hey’s Innovation Hub rapidly adapted its focus to support critical healthcare needs. Within weeks, the team launched solutions to address immediate challenges faced by Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, ensuring safety, accessibility, and efficiency.
Addressing Critical Challenges
The pandemic created urgent demands in infection control, resource management, and staff support. Healthcare teams faced gaps in staffing, communication, and access to essential protective equipment. It was clear that new solutions were required to ensure continuity of care and staff well-being.
Key challenges included:
- The need for real-time staff availability tracking.
- Shortages of reliable personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Gaps in communication and information access for staff and patients.
Innovative Solutions
Team Trak App
Designed to monitor staff availability and manage resources, this app provided:
- Insight into staffing levels and gaps.
- Easy reporting of COVID-19 symptoms and self-isolation trends.
- Links to virtual assistants, helplines, and staff information hubs.
Outcome: Successfully piloted by over 195 staff members, enhancing operational efficiency.
The Distancer
A simple yet effective 3D-printed handheld tool that reduced contamination risks in clinical settings.
Outcome: Mass production enabled safer navigation of healthcare facilities.
Hygenie Tracker
This tool monitored hand hygiene compliance ward by ward, driving behavior change and validating business processes.
Outcome: Enhanced infection control across clinical areas.
Virtual Assistants (SALI & Ask Oli)
SALI supported staff with 24/7 access to reliable, validated advice, while Ask Oli addressed public queries about COVID-19.
Outcome: Reduced demand on operational teams while improving information accessibility.
Transformative Impact
These innovations enabled Alder Hey to:
- Manufacture and distribute over 52,000 visors and 4,000 3D-printed door openers.
- Enhance staff communication with a COVID-19 information hub.
- Create a new supply chain for alternative PPE solutions.