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Patient Safety Learning

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Everything posted by Patient Safety Learning

  1. News Article
    Scientists have developed a virus-killing plastic that could make it harder for bugs, including Covid, to spread in hospitals and care homes. The team at Queen's University Belfast say their plastic film is cheap and could be fashioned into protective gear such as aprons. It works by reacting with light to release chemicals that break the virus. The study showed it could kill viruses by the million, even in tough species which linger on clothes and surfaces. The research was accelerated as part of the UK's response to the Covid pandemic. Studies had shown the Covid virus was able to survive for up to 72 hours on some surfaces, but that is nothing compared to sturdier species. Norovirus - known as the winter vomiting bug - can survive outside the body for two weeks while waiting for somebody new to infect. "This is the first time that anything like this has been developed," said Prof Andrew Mills, from the university's chemistry department. He added: "This film could replace many of the disposable plastic films used in the healthcare industry as it has the added value of being self-sterilising at no real extra cost." He said current personal protective equipment used in hospitals did a good job, but "infections can take place when you take off or put on the PPE, so this can help". Read full story Source: BBC News, 8 September 2022
  2. News Article
    NHS trusts again recorded a month-on-month reduction in the number of patients waiting over 78 weeks for treatment, although the flagship target to eliminate this cohort by March remains a tall order, with winter pressures set to crank up. The overall waiting list rose from 6.7 to 6.8 million between June and July, a record high, with the number of those who have waited over a year rising from around 356,000 to around 378,000. However, the 78-week breach figure fell from 53,911 in July from 51,838 in June. It had stood at nearly 60,000 in May. This represents a significant achievement given the unprecedented pressures currently on the system. Read full story (paywalled) Source: HSJ, 8 September 2022
  3. Content Article
    “I will deliver on the National Health Service” was as much detail as the new prime minister offered on health policy in her victory speech on Monday. One idea floated during her campaign, that £13bn of new funding earmarked for the NHS should be diverted to social care, might once have won plaudits. But such is the crisis now engulfing hospitals that the moment has passed. Next week, a ballot opens that could see nurses in England and Wales go on strike for the first time. A record 132,139 – or almost 10% of all NHS posts – were vacant in June. This shocking rise in the number of NHS vacancies is a symptom of the government’s dangerous neglect, says the Guardian newspaper in its Editorial.
  4. News Article
    Nurses in North Carolina, USA, can now be sued for patient harm that results from them following physicians' orders, the state Supreme Court ruled last month. The 19 August ruling strikes down a 90-year-old precedent set by the 1932 case Byrd v. Marion General Hospital, which protected nurses from culpability for obeying and executing orders from a physician or surgeon, unless the order was obviously negligent. The North Carolina Supreme Court overturned this ruling in a 3-2 opinion as part of a separate case involving a young child who experienced permanent anoxic brain damage during an ablation procedure at a North Carolina hospital in 2010. The ruling means the certified registered nurse anaesthetist involved in the ablation could be held liable for the patient's harm. "Due to the evolution of the medical profession's recognition of the increased specialization and independence of nurses in the treatment of patients over the course of the ensuing ninety years since this Court's issuance of the Byrd opinion, we determine that it is timely and appropriate to overrule Byrd as it is applied to the facts of this case," Justice Michael Morgan wrote in the opinion. Read full story Source: Becker's Hospital Review, 6 September 2022
  5. News Article
    NHS England’s chief strategy officer has called for a “reset” of the current “overwhelmingly negative narrative” about the health service. Chris Hopson said there was a collective responsibility to present a more balanced picture, while still being honest about problems. The service should do more to emphasise successes, improvements and where there is good performance, he said. He acknowledged there were too many instances where good quality care could not be delivered due to current pressures on the service. But they were being addressed and improvements being made. “We need to make sure that our staff, our patients but also the taxpayers hear that more balanced narrative,” he said at the Ambulance Leadership Forum event on Wednesday. Ambulance services – whose response times have sky-rocketed, well beyond their targets, over the past 18 months – have been at the centre of much recent negative coverage. Mr Hopson argued that the constantly negative narrative was having an impact on staff – whose work was not being recognised – and creating a sense that the NHS was broken. “That narrative is partly being driven by opponents of the NHS and also [those] who want to attack the government,” Mr Hopson said, although he acknowledged that it also reflected genuine instances of staff and patient experience. Read full story (paywalled) Source: HSJ, 8 September 2022
  6. News Article
    Liz Truss has received a stark insight into the dire state of the NHS after new figures showed millions of people in England were facing often record delays to access vital healthcare. One leading NHS expert said the long waits for care, diagnostic tests and hospital beds showed that Britain’s new prime minister “inherits an NHS in critical condition”. The total number of people in England waiting for hospital treatment rose again to a record high of 6.8 million at the end of July – almost one in eight of the population. Patients are also facing long waits for accident and emergency care, cancer treatment, such as surgery or chemotherapy, and for an ambulance to arrive after a 999 call. Of the 6.8 million people on NHS England’s “referral to treatment” waiting list, 2,665,004 had been waiting for more than 18 weeks, which is the supposed maximum waiting time for procedures such as a joint replacement, hernia repair or cataract removal. In addition, 377,689 had been waiting more than a year to start their treatment, almost 22,000 more than a month before, according to the latest monthly performance data published by NHS England. The data showed that ministers and NHS bosses had failed to fulfil their pledge to eradicate two-year waits by the end of July; 2,885 such cases had not been resolved by then, despite major efforts by hospitals to meet the target. Read full story Source: The Guardian, 8 September 2022
  7. Content Article
    NHS England have released statistics on referral to treatment (RTT) waiting times for consultant-led elective care. The statistics include patients waiting to start treatment at the end of July 2022 and patients who were treated during July 2022.
  8. News Article
    Every year, air pollution causes up to 36,000 deaths in the UK.  The World Health Organization and the UK Government recognise that air pollution is the largest environmental health risk we face today. Millions of people around the world breathe polluted air that puts their respiratory and cardiovascular health, and in some cases even their lives, at risk. Phasing out fossil fuels would be a major step in protecting health for current and future generations. More than a thousand health professionals have already endorsed the call for a treaty. Add your name to endorse the call for a treaty. Next week, the Global Climate and Health Alliance are planning a major press launch of the health community's letter calling for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty and want to secure as many signatures as possible. They are encouraging healthcare professionals to help to build momentum by inviting two—or more—of your health colleagues to sign the health letter before the launch on 14 September. Invite your colleagues to sign the health letter By clicking the link above, you'll be taken to a form where you can send a short note of invitation to a colleague to sign the letter. They will be sent your note, as well as a link to some additional information about the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. The form can only send one email at a time, but you use the form as many times as you wish.
  9. Content Article
    The life expectancy of people with severe mental illness (SMI) is shorter than those without SMI, with multimorbidity and poorer physical health contributing to health inequality. Screening tools could potentially assist the optimisation of medicines to protect the physical health of people with SMI. The aim of this research from Carolan et al. was to design and validate a medicines optimisation tool (OPTIMISE) to help clinicians to optimise physical health in people with SMI.
  10. News Article
    Previously offered as prescription only, estradiol tablets, sold under the brand name Gina10, will now be available to women over the age of 50 who have not had a period for more than a year, as part of hormone replacement therapy treatment (HRT). Pharmacists have been offered training to identify who needs the tablets. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) made the decision as part of a strategy to make menopause treatment more accessible for women. Estradiol tablets treat vaginal symptoms caused by a lack of oestrogen, such as dryness, soreness, itching, burning and uncomfortable sex. The product is inserted into the vagina rather than taken by mouth. MHRA chief healthcare quality and access officer Dr Laura Squire called the move a "landmark reclassification for millions of women in the UK". "In reaching this decision, we have seen positive support from a wide range of people, including many women aged 50 years and above who could benefit from this decision," she said. The MHRA hopes the move will relieve pressure on front-line NHS services and give women more freedom in choosing treatments that work for them. Read full story Source: BBC News, 8 September 2022
  11. News Article
    A malaria vaccine created by Oxford researchers “is really exciting” and could contribute towards drastically reducing the number of children who die from the infection, experts suggest. A new study reports on the effectiveness of a malaria booster vaccine which shows long-lasting high efficacy in African children, meeting the World Health Organisation (WHO) specified 75% efficacy goal. The research found that a vaccine booster dose one year after children received three doses as their primary vaccination regime maintained high efficacy against malaria. Adrian Hill, director of the Jenner Institute and Lakshmi Mittal and Family Professor of Vaccinology, University of Oxford, said: “We think these data are the best data yet. “And very importantly, this is a vaccine that we think can be manufactured and deployed, very widely.” He added that the vaccine could be produced for a few dollars a dose, and together with existing measures, like mosquito nets and sprays, could help save children’s lives. Read full story Source: The Independent, 8 September 2022
  12. News Article
    GPs have warned of a ‘tsunami of demand’ this winter as patient contacts surged 200% during the pandemic. One of the largest GP providers in the UK, Modality Partnership, told The Independent it received 4.8 million calls from patients in one year alone with around a quarter going unanswered every day. The provider, which covers 500,000 patients across the country, said its practices were now working above “safe levels” with 50 appointments a day per GP, far higher than the 35 advised by the British Medical Association. Speaking with The Independent, Vincent Sai, chief executive and partner at Modality said the new health secretary Therese Coffey must “not point fingers” and “not find a scapegoat” as “every part of the system is under pressure. Every player in the health system is under the cosh.” Dr Sai said: “We believe patient contacts have increased 200 per cent, over the last few years. The expectation is that GP practices have maybe four to five patient contacts per year, but if you just look at just the number of phone calls alone, it’s showing that it’s much more now. “So something is broken somewhere...there’s more work, there are fewer people. People say I can’t get access to my GP and the hypothesis is they’re just lazy and not working, but it’s not the case.” Read full story Source: The Independent, 7 September 2022
  13. News Article
    A group of top researchers, clinicians and patients have stepped up efforts to combat Long Covid, launching a new billionaire-backed initiative to search for drivers of the poorly understood condition and ultimately find treatments to help the millions of people around the world living with the disease. The Long Covid Research Initiative (LCRI) hopes to accelerate efforts to understand and treat Long Covid, a sometimes disabling condition that lingers for months or years after infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19. The group’s first goal—supported by $15 million dollars in funding from Balvi, a scientific investment fund led by crypto billionaire and Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin—will be to investigate the causes Long Covid, with a particular focus on whether the virus stubbornly persists in the body after initial infection. Dr. Amy Proal, a microbiologist at the PolyBio Research Foundation and LCRI’s chief scientific officer, told Forbes the research is not just geared towards identifying the presence of the virus in the body but is also aimed at understanding the downstream impact it has on things like blood clotting and the immune system. Proal said another key aim of LCRI’s research program is to identify measurable features of Long Covid that could form the backbone of clinical trials and help develop much-needed treatments for the condition. LCRI has already secured a commitment for further funding from the Chan Soon-Shiong Family Foundation, led by biotech billionaire Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong (the final amount has yet to be settled), and Scott-Green said the group is aiming to raise $100 million in order to help patients as soon as possible. Read full story Source: Forbes, 8 September 2022
  14. Content Article
    The non-profit Patient Information Forum (PIF) has published a new one-page guide to Body Mass Index (BMI). The poster was developed following user engagement sessions with patients and healthcare professionals which highlighted the amount of misinformation surrounding BMI. It is free to download and share and can be used directly by patients or a resource for healthcare professionals. Welcoming the publication of 'BMI – What you need to know', Dr Juhi Tandon said: “As a GP for more than a decade, I still struggle to have the BMI conversation with patients. Discussing someone’s BMI can easily make them feel uncomfortable as they feel like they are being judged. It will be very helpful to share a clear fact sheet to help patients understand more about BMI in a non-judgemental way.”
  15. Content Article
    In this podcast, Dr Ramai Santhirapala interviews Professor Melville about the new GMC guidance around consent and decision making, exploring some useful tips for best practice and exploring some of the challenges clinicians may face around this topic. 
  16. Event
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    Human activity is driving global warming at an alarming rate. Extreme temperatures, air pollution, drought and floods affect all nations – including the UK and Republic of Ireland. This climate emergency is also a health emergency. As nurses and midwives, we must act now as a profession to safeguard our patients and services from the effects of a warming world. This joint Royal College of Nursing and NHS England conference builds on the aspirations of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Join to raise awareness of the impact of care provision on greenhouse gas emissions, and explore the opportunities this challenge presents to improve health and care services. Register
  17. Content Article
    NHS England has committed to reducing its direct emissions to ‘net zero’ carbon emissions by 2040, with most of the reduction by 2030. There are similar initiatives underway in Wales and Scotland. The Environmentally Sustainable Healthcare (ESH) programme was developed with the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare and the HEE Northeast Faculty of Sustainable Healthcare to provide the healthcare workforce with the knowledge and skills to deliver healthcare for financial, social and environmental sustainability.
  18. News Article
    The backlog of urgent cancer referral patients who have waited 104 days or more for treatment has increased month-on-month again, internal NHS data reveals. Data obtained by HSJ shows the total backlog of NHS patients waiting over three months for their first treatment since referral grew by 10% month-on-month, from 10,361 as of 26 June, to 11,212 by 28 August. There are now nearly 341,000 patients are waiting to start their cancer treatment after being referred, the internal data also reveals. Under current NHS rules, the 104-day point marks a “backstop” – beyond which any patient waiting longer than this for treatment should be reviewed for potential harm. The NHS has not achieved this target since 2014. Read full story (paywalled) Source: HSJ, 7 September 2022
  19. News Article
    The decision to reduce the number of children who are offered Covid jabs has prompted outcry from parent groups and academics. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said children who had not turned 5 by the end of last month would not be offered a vaccination, in line with advice published by the UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) in February 2022. UKHSA said the offer of Covid jabs to healthy 5 to 11-year-olds was always meant to be temporary. UKHSA’s Green Book, which provides information on the vaccine rollout for public health professionals, states: “This one-off programme applies to those aged 5 to 11 years, including those who turn 5 years of age before the end of August 2022". “Subject to further clarification, on-going eligibility in 2022/23, after the one off-programme, is expected to be for children in the academic years where children are aged 11 or 12 years.” However, Prof Christina Pagel, of University College London, criticised the move. “JCVI itself considered there to be a benefit to young children to be vaccinated – even if most of them had already been infected,” she said. “There is also the additional benefit to children of providing additional protection from developing long Covid, missing school during the acute illness and reducing transmission to household members, other children and teachers.” Pagel said that at least one serious Covid wave was expected later this year, but that many children about to start school would now have to wait six years for vaccination, with likely relatively frequent infections in that time. “When we know there is a safe and effective vaccine available this seems unjustifiable to me,” said Pagel, adding that – while rare – children had died from Covid. Read full story Source: The Guardian, 6 September 2022
  20. Content Article
    This is an Early Day Motion tabled in the House of Commons on 5 September 2022, which calls on the Government to implement the recommendations of the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review in full, in particular recommendation 4 of the report calling for the establishment of separate schemes to meet the costs of additional care and support to those who have suffered avoidable harm.
  21. Content Article
    This presentation provides an insight into a real life crowdfunded NHS whistleblowing case. This comes from the perspective of both a frontline NHS clinician and crowdfunder. The tactics used against Dr Day, his response to them and the effect that such a public protracted fight has had on NHS culture and ‘confidence in the system’. Potential changes are then discussed Chris is a Locum Emergency Medicine doctor working at the moment in East London. Chris is also a Claimant in a high profile whistleblowing case that has been ongoing for nearly 9 years. The case re-established statutory whistleblowing protection (in the Court of Appeal) for junior doctors in England. The case has had further media attention last month when Chris’ NHS opponents admitted to destroying evidence whilst a 16 day court hearing was in progress.
  22. Event
    This one day masterclass will focus on culture with healthcare organisations. It will look at effective ways to encourage healthcare organisations to unlock culture to improve both patient safety and staff safety. The Ockendon report (2022) reports a ‘Toxic culture’ of “undermining and bullying” left staff struggling to finish shifts and crying at work. Two thirds of staff said they had witnessed or experienced bullying. The report identified an “us and them” divide between doctors and midwives. Key learning objectives: Psychological safety Safety culture Toxic cultures Trust and safety Compassionate leadership. For further information and to book your place visit www.healthcareconferencesuk.co.uk/conferences-masterclasses/unlocking-culture or email kerry@hc-uk.org.uk hub members receive 20% discount. Email info@pslhub.org for discount code.
  23. Event
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    This two day masterclass will start by providing learners with a full understanding of the various approaches that can now be used to conduct patient safety incident investigation (PSIIs) followed by how to use Human Factors in your workplace. All medical and non-medical staff should attend. For further information and to book your place visit www.healthcareconferencesuk.co.uk/virtual-online-courses/human-factors-safety-investigations or email kerry@hc-uk.org.uk hub members receive 20% discount. Email info@pslhub.org for discount code.
  24. Event
    Aimed at Clinicians and Managers, this national virtual conference will provide a practical guide to human factors in healthcare, and how a human factors approach can improve patient care, quality, process and safety. There will be an extended focus on the role of human factors in patient safety investigation in line with the new National Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF). For further information and to book your place visit www.healthcareconferencesuk.co.uk/conferences-masterclasses/human-factors-in-healthcare or email aman@hc-uk.org.uk Follow on Twitter @HCUK_Clare #HumanFactors hub members receive 20% discount. Email info@pslhub.org for discount code.
  25. Event
    This one-day course is designed to provide delegates with the key skills and knowledge that they will require to conduct Root Cause Analysis effectively. The course content walks learners through the seven-key stages to conducting a high-quality Root Cause Analysis investigation. We pay particular attention to planning and managing investigations, interviewing staff, mapping information, using appropriate analysis tools to establish contributory factors, plus focus on creating fit-for-purpose action plans and final reports. We advocate Root Cause Analysis as a teambased approach and concur with NHS Improvement’s 2018 statement ‘investigations must be led by trained investigators with the support of an appropriately resourced investigation team’. For further information and to book your place visit www.healthcareconferencesuk.co.uk/conferences-masterclasses/root-cause-analysis-1-day-masterclass or email kate@hc-uk.org.uk hub members receive 20% discount. Email info@pslhub.org for discount code.
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