Vitex: A Bold Approach to Confronting Antimicrobial Resistant Strains.

Vitex Device 2.0 – a revolutionary system combating antimicrobial resistance in Uganda's healthcare. Utilizing safe far UVC light, Vitex ensures 99.99% sterilization in occupied rooms without harming patients' skin or eyes. Eco-friendly and cost-effective, it addresses critical challenges, offering a safer and efficient disinfection solution for healthcare facilities and ambulances.

Mugisha Gift Arnold

A new adversary is emerging, not a rogue nation nor a terrorist group, but rather a silent threat in the form of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). These agents of germ warfare are retaliating against decades of antibiotic attacks, giving rise to resistant strains causing infections for which there are limited or no effective drugs— situation experts predictions could lead to catastrophic consequences. Without a concerted and collaborative response, the dire forecast of 10 million annual deaths from resistant infections by 2050, as outlined in the AMR review by O'Neill (2016), may become a reality. Ackers-Johnson's study highlighting alarming rates of antimicrobial resistance in a regional referral hospital (Ackers-Johnson et al., 2021). Conventional disinfection methods prove ineffective, leaving air and medical equipment contaminated, and even causing potential harm to patients. These challenges necessitate a collaborative and innovative response to safeguard public health and counter the escalating threat of AMR.

References

1. O'Neill, J. (2016). Review on antimicrobial resistance: tackling drug-resistant infections globally: final report and recommendations. Retrieved 24/09/2022, from https://apo.org.au/node/63983

3. Ackers-Johnson, G.,...& James, C. E. (2021). Antibiotic resistance profiles and population structure of disease-associated Staphylococcus aureus infecting patients in Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital, Western Uganda, 167(5).

The Vitex solution serves a diverse array of stakeholders, primarily targeting hospitals, laboratories, hospices, long-term care facilities, and funeral homes. The focus is on supporting medical personnel facing infection risks in challenging healthcare environments, particularly in congested wards, laboratories, operating rooms, and facilities with inadequate safety and sanitation protocols, especially in Uganda. Vitex addresses the critical needs of these stakeholders by providing autonomous disinfection through innovative features like robotic-driven disinfection and remote sensing. This significantly reduces infection risks, enhances operational efficiency, and potentially improves supply distribution time by 40%. The economic impact includes substantial cost reduction in recurrent spending on disinfectants and protective gear, while also addressing mortality rates, hospital stays, and antimicrobial resistance. The community benefits from improved public health outcomes, with lowered morbidity and mortality rates. The use of 3D-printed copper and Nano Copper ensures a high antimicrobial potential, eliminating dangerous pathogens by up to 99.9%, and the incorporation of sustainable 3D-printed materials reflects a commitment to environmental responsibility. Throughout development, Vitex remains attuned to the real-world needs of healthcare professionals and patients through iterative engagement, ensuring its effectiveness as a tailored and impactful solution.

The Vitex System 2.0 provides a significant public good by enhancing infection prevention and control, thereby contributing to global health and safety. The core benefit is the substantial reduction in the spread of infectious diseases, including antimicrobial resistance. This is achieved through the innovative use of far UVC light, 3D-printed copper and Nano Copper components with antimicrobial properties, and an open operating system.

As a public good, the knowledge generated from the development and performance of the Vitex System 2.0 could be disseminated through white papers, peer-reviewed publications, or open-sourced models. This information can serve as a valuable resource for researchers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers globally, fostering a collaborative approach to combating infectious diseases.

Additionally, the system's open operating system, allowing integration with existing digital health solutions, creates a platform for shared knowledge and advancements in healthcare technology. By providing this technological infrastructure, the Vitex System 2.0 contributes to the global accessibility of solutions that enhance infection prevention and control.

The Vitex System 2.0 is expected to create tangible impact by significantly reducing the spread of infectious diseases, particularly in healthcare settings. The core technology, including far UVC light and antimicrobial components, aims to achieve a 99.99% sterilization rate on surfaces and in the air, thereby enhancing infection prevention and control measures.

The impact is tangible for healthcare professionals and patients alike, as the system minimizes the risk of infections within medical facilities. By targeting surfaces prone to frequent touching with 3D-printed copper and Nano Copper, the Vitex System 2.0 contributes to a safer environment for both frontline healthcare workers and vulnerable patients.

Moreover, the open operating system fosters collaboration and innovation, allowing the integration of existing digital health solutions and the development of new applications. This accessibility to advanced healthcare technology benefits the target population by improving overall healthcare delivery, diagnostics, and treatment options.

The potential to reduce infections, and the broader benefits for healthcare professionals and patients support the expectation of tangible impact. Further evidence can be gathered through ongoing testing, user feedback, and real-world implementation to validate and strengthen these links.

Over the next year and the subsequent three years, our strategic approach to scaling the impact of the Vitex System 2.0 is rooted in the strengths identified during the proof of concept phase. Initially, we will diligently assess and refine the innovation based on insights gathered from field tests at various long-term healthcare facilities. Engaging with medical professionals and decision-makers will be pivotal in shaping continuous improvements to the system, prioritizing user feedback. Building on the evidence gathered, our strategy entails replicating and adapting the Vitex innovation across diverse healthcare facilities, particularly focusing on low-to-middle income countries with overburdened health systems. As we aim for geographic expansion, our innovation's versatility positions it to address the universal challenge of infectious disease spread in healthcare settings globally. Embedded in our scaling strategy are the principles of cost-effectiveness and sustainability, ensuring accessibility and enduring impact. Collaboration and partnerships with healthcare organizations and international entities will play a vital role in integrating the Vitex System 2.0 into existing healthcare infrastructures, amplifying its reach and effectiveness. Through these strategic steps, our goal is to drive large-scale adaptation, making a transformative and lasting impact on global healthcare.

1. Formative Phase Metrics (6 months to 1 year):
   - Contextual Relevance: Assessing the alignment of the project with host communities' needs.
   - Infection Cases: Periodically evaluating the actual number of infection cases and establishing a baseline for trend analysis by collecting pre-implementation data from health authorities.

2. Summative Phase Metrics (1 year):
   - Impact on Users:
      - Expected Lives Saved and Improved.
      - Impact on Vulnerable/In-Need Groups: Assessing the potential to positively affect vulnerable and equitable gender groups.
      - Actual and Projected Demand for Vitex 2.0.

   - Improvement in Usage and Adoption:
      - Measurement of Usage and Adoption Improvement.

   - Partnership and Replication:
      - Replication to Different Regions.
      - Collaboration with Partners within Uganda (e.g., Ministry of Health, Medical Associations, hospitals).

   - Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
      - Device's Disinfectant Coverage Area per Duration: Evaluated with the assistance of trained volunteers.
      - Interviews: Conducting interviews with patients, medical personnel, administrators, and trained volunteers to assess the effectiveness of the intervention.

This mixed-method approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data, will provide a comprehensive understanding of the Vitex System 2.0's impact, ensuring that success is measured across various dimensions and stakeholders.

In navigating the complexities of implementing the Vitex System 2.0, we have identified and devised targeted mitigations for several key challenges. Limited access to human data in hospitals poses a significant barrier, which we address through comprehensive communication and transparency with study participants, obtaining informed consent, providing study leaflets, and ensuring confidentiality in data collection and handling. The anticipation of partnership involvement and funding presents another challenge, mitigated by actively seeking partnerships with healthcare entities, expecting about 10% financial support, and proactively engaging in discussions with health authorities to secure implementation approvals and address regulatory risks. Potential regulatory challenges in target countries are addressed by prioritizing discussions with health authorities, staying informed about and compliant with country-specific regulations. Gaining full support for the adoption of the Vitex System 2.0 in national health policies is a barrier met with collaboration strategies involving medical associations, the Ministry of Health, and other stakeholders. Lastly, the contextual peculiarities arising from variability in healthcare operations and funding models across different countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, are mitigated through collaborations with local innovators and professionals to tailor the implementation strategy to the specific needs of each country.

Our solution for infection prevention and control, the Vitex System 2.0, faces several barriers to realizing its full impact: limited resources impede adoption, particularly in low-resource settings; navigating regulatory hurdles across jurisdictions requires significant expertise; a lack of awareness about infection control practices and available technologies hampers effective implementation; and fragmented data complicates monitoring and evaluation efforts. The Trinity Challenge offers a comprehensive solution: its access to funding and resources can overcome resource constraints, enabling scalable efforts; its network of experts provides guidance on regulatory hurdles, streamlining approval processes; fostering partnerships enhances our solution's reach and impact, amplifying awareness efforts; and through data integration platforms and analytics tools, The Trinity Challenge facilitates informed decision-making, progress monitoring, and impact evaluation. In conclusion, The Trinity Challenge provides a unique platform to address barriers in implementing our solution, offering funding, expertise, collaboration, and data-driven insights to significantly improve healthcare outcomes globally.

We seek collaboration with esteemed institutions such as the Trinity Challenge, Uganda Industrial Research Institute, Makerere University, and University of Cambridge. Partnering with these organizations brings a wealth of expertise in research, development, and academic insight. The Uganda Industrial Research Institute's support is pivotal for aligning our solution with industry standards and regulations in the Ugandan context. Collaborating with Makerere University enhances our research capabilities and facilitates connections with local healthcare communities. University of Cambridge's expertise can contribute valuable perspectives on global health challenges. These collaborations provide a robust foundation for knowledge exchange, research validation, and aligning our solution with diverse healthcare models. The Trinity Challenge's network can further amplify these collaborations, offering mentorship and resources to accelerate the Vitex System 2.0's impact on infection prevention and control.