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Content ArticlePainful menstruation—dysmenorrhea—interferes with the daily life of around one in five women. This blog looks at why painful periods receive so little research attention and examines the impact this has on women's lives and health. Sharing a personal story of her own painful periods, the author discusses how doctors are quick to prescribe birth control pills and antidepressants to treat painful periods, rather than investigating the problem to find out whether the cause of pain is endometriosis, a condition where endometrial tissue forms outside the uterus. It is thought that around 10% of ovulating women in the US have endometriosis and it takes an average of ten years for accurate diagnosis. The author discusses the need to raise the visibility of dysmenorrhea and endometriosis so that medical research takes it on as a serious issue.
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Content ArticleA Quality Account is a annual report about the quality of services offered by an NHS healthcare provider. Quality Accounts allow providers to demonstrate how they have improved their services to the communities they serve. This webpage provides information on how to put together Quality Accounts, which providers need to submit them and how to publish them.
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Content ArticleThis action plan to implement the recommendations of the Neonatal Critical Care Transformation Review outlines how the NHS will further improve neonatal care with the support of funding set out in the NHS Long Term Plan. It includes information on capacity, staffing and support for parents.
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Content Article
Improving Diagnosis in Health Care (2015)
Patient-Safety-Learning posted an article in Diagnosis
Accurate and timely diagnosis is a key aspect of healthcare, and misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis can have serious consequences for patients. This eBook published by the National Academies for Science, Engineering and Medicine highlights that tackling diagnostic error in healthcare is a moral, professional, and public health duty. It makes recommendations to improve the safety of diagnostic processes, outlining the need for collaboration and a widespread commitment to change among healthcare professionals, healthcare organisations, patients and their families, researchers and policy makers. -
Content ArticleThis webpage by the British Association of Dermatologists contains a selection of resources about skin cancer and sun safety for patients. it describes the different types of skin cancer, how to get moles checked and how to stay safe in the sun.
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Content ArticleCommunication barriers are the number one reason Deaf people have poorer health compared to hearing people. This blog by the organisation SignHealth gives 12 tips for healthcare workers and non-clinical staff on how to communicate with Deaf people. It also describes the difficulties Deaf people face when booking appointments and describes why remote consultations are problematic for Deaf people.
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Content ArticleIn its 2019 manifesto the government pledged to increase the full-time equivalent number of nurses working in the NHS by 50,000 by March 2024. But although data suggests that the NHS will hit that target, Ruth May, England's Chief Nursing Officer, has stated publicly that there are still substantial shortages in spite of this increase. This analysis by the King's Fund highlights that the supply of nurses to the NHS is not keeping up with demand, with vacancy levels remaining static in spite of an increase to the raw number of nurses. It also highlights wide regional variation in nurse shortages.
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Content ArticleThis study in BMC Infectious Diseases aimed to determine whether there is an association between Covid-19 infection and acute appendicitis. The authors performed a single institution retrospective review of pre-procedure Covid-19 testing and indications for surgical intervention. They found a high prevalence of Covid-19 in both all testing and pre-procedure testing during the enrolment period and observed a high prevalence of acute appendicitis among patients identified to be Covid-positive during pre-procedure testing and without recognised symptoms of Covid-19.
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Content ArticleAlthough serious medication errors are uncommon, their effects can be devastating for patients and their loved ones. The authors of this study in the journal Patient Safety searched the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Reporting System (PA-PSRS) for reports of serious medication errors in the emergency department from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2020. They identified trends in the data, looking at patient sex, patient age, event harm score, event day of the week and event time of day. The authors found that: error reports more often specified that the patient was female. events were significantly more likely to happen over the weekend. most errors occurred at the prescribing stage. the most common error type was a wrong dose. They conclude that a number of patient safety strategies could reduce the risk of medication errors in the emergency department, including: stocking epinephrine autoinjectors. using clinical decision support at the ordering/prescribing stage of the process. adding an emergency medicine pharmacist to interdisciplinary emergency medicine teams.
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Content ArticleEZDrugID is a campaign to improve the distinctiveness of medication packaging set up by a group of healthcare workers. Inadequate standards around medication packaging mean that medications with very different actions are sometimes packaged in a very similar way causing "look-alike drugs”. This can lead to errors and serious harm to patients if the wrong drug is mistakenly used. The EZDrugID website contains information about their campaigns to maximise distinctiveness of different medications as well as a "lookalikes" gallery. See also: the hub's error traps gallery The medication safety area of the hub
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EventuntilOn 23 June 2022, National Voices is holding an all-day conference, as we explore the topic of Integrated Care Systems (ICSs), on the eve of ICSs becoming statutory bodies that cover the entirety of England. Now is the right moment to identify the changes we want to see as a result of this fundamental shift in the way the health and care system is organised. We want to see better, more equal outcomes for people, especially those not currently well supported by existing models. We also want to see more coordinated and effective care that enables people to live well, with fewer barriers between communities and formal services. The day will consist of high profile, topical panel discussions and engaging workshops. During the conference we will have a number of expert speakers joining us, including the keynote speaker, Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive of NHS Confederation, and of course National Voices Chief Executive, Charlotte Augst. A series of workshops will cover crucial topics, including health inequalities, social prescribing and others to be confirmed. We look forward to welcoming a range of individuals and organisations to this event, which will offer an opportunity for the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector to have constructive conversations with system leaders; ensuring that people and communities are involved appropriately and that the result of the new ICSs is a positive impact on the way people experience healthcare. Register for the conference
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Content Article
In this blog Patient Safety Learning considers several key patient safety issues highlighted in a recent investigation by the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) into unintentional overdose of morphine sulfate oral solution. We argue that in some areas, further action is required to prevent incidents of avoidable harm recurring. -
Content ArticleThis Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) investigation aims to improve patient safety in relation to the use of oral morphine sulfate solution (a strong pain-relieving medication taken by mouth). As its ‘reference case’, the investigation used the case of Len, an 89 year-old man who took an accidental overdose of morphine sulfate oral liquid. Patient Safety Learning has published a blog reflecting on the key patient safety issues highlighted in this report.
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Content Article
Survey - Asthma is worse for women (27 April 2022)
Patient-Safety-Learning posted an article in Women's health
Women often have worse asthma than men, and female sex hormones can affect the condition. Asthma and Lung UK are conducting a survey to find out more about women's experience of asthma - women with asthma and those that care for them are invited to take the survey, which takes about five minutes to complete and is completely anonymous. Asthma and Lung UK have also published a report, Asthma is Worse for Women, outlining the need for more research into asthma and female sex hormones. -
Content ArticleGlobally, there are 136 million women with asthma. Asthma is more common among women, women experience more severe symptoms and they are more likely to die from their asthma. Many women experience a significant worsening of symptoms around menstruation and are at risk of potentially fatal asthma attacks every month. However, there has been very little research to understand why. Asthma and Lung UK has published this report following a roundtable meeting with scientists, funders and pharmaceutical companies to discuss how to transform outcomes for women with asthma. The report covers information on sex bias in asthma and looks at recent developments in understanding about the condition, highlighting areas for further research. The report also makes the case for increasing funding to deliver better outcomes for women with asthma, strengthening leadership and infrastructure in asthma treatment, and increasing innovation in drug trials. Alongside the report, Asthma and Lung UK has made a short video where one woman talks about her experience of severe asthma, how it has affected her life and why we need more research into the link between asthma, periods and female hormones. Asthma and Lung UK has also released a survey to find out more about women's experience of living with asthma.
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EventuntilThe NHS Communicate conference is back for a second year, offering an unparalleled opportunity for senior communicators across the health service to explore the reputational challenges facing the NHS and to share expertise and learning from healthcare and beyond. It seems like a long time since members of the public were clapping for NHS staff at the height of the pandemic. Today, the NHS finds itself under increasing operational pressure, with lengthening waiting times and an exhausted workforce with low morale. With public satisfaction at a 25-year low, and following recent tax increases to fund extra investment, public scrutiny of the NHS has rarely been greater. Building on the great success of last year’s inaugural event, NHS Communicate 2022 is a chance to explore the impacts of the pandemic on the reputation of the NHS and the role of communications in supporting and helping to build and sustain its profile and reputation. Whether it is demonstrating the value the NHS delivers to patients, or positioning the NHS as an employer of choice, NHS communications plays a vital role. Read more information and book a place
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Content Article
Blog - Food allergies: Unproven diagnostic tests
Patient-Safety-Learning posted an article in Allergies
There has been an increasing trend in commercially available diagnostic tests for food allergy and intolerance, but many of these tests lack an evidence base. In this article, Philippe Bégin from the University of Montreal describes the risks involved with using unproven diagnostic tests for food allergies and intolerances. He highlights that alongside their high cost, they may lead to false diagnoses, with associated anxiety and unnecessary strict avoidance diets. They may also lead truly allergic people to believe they are not allergic to certain foods, which could cause them to eat a food that gives them a life-threatening reaction. He also provides a list of tests that are offered to consumers, but that are unproven and should be avoided. -
Content ArticleMuch research has been done into the causes, extent and impact of health inequalities that affect rural and coastal populations. Health services in these areas currently face serious challenges due to a combination of factors, including social deprivation, ageing populations and workforce staffing issues. In this blog, Patrick Mitchell, Director of Innovation, Digital and Transformation at Health Education England (HEE), describes a new HEE programme that aims to help tackle health inequalities in rural and coastal areas.
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Content Article
NRAS - SMILE-RA e-learning for patients
Patient-Safety-Learning posted an article in Patient engagement
SMILE (Self-Management Individualised Learning Environment) is an e-learning experience for people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who want to learn more about RA, its treatments and how to become good at self-managing. Each module is on a particular theme or subject and takes between 20 mins and half an hour to complete. -
EventuntilThis webinar from the Institute of Global Health Innovation explores the safety, effectiveness and global relevance of pulse oximetry for at-home monitoring of Covid-19. Pulse oximeters are being explored as a tool for people with COVID-19 to keep an eye on their health at home, away from healthcare settings. These are widely available, low-cost devices that shine light through a person’s finger to assess their blood oxygen saturation. Evidence has shown that a fall in blood oxygen levels is a critical indicator that a COVID-19 patient’s health is deteriorating and they may need closer monitoring and urgent treatment. But what is the evidence surrounding their effectiveness, and are they a safe way for people to monitor themselves at home? Join our webinar as we explore these important questions while discussing their applications in the UK health system and globally, with particular attention to their relevance in low- and middle-income countries. We will also discuss findings of the ongoing NHS COVID Oximetry at Home (CO@H) programme, which supports people at home who have been diagnosed with coronavirus and are most at risk of becoming seriously unwell. This virtual event will consist of a series of short talks by experts from IGHI followed by a live audience Q&A, giving you the chance to ask any questions you may have. Speakers Professor the Lord Ara Darzi, IGHI co-director Dr Ana Luisa Neves, IGHI Advanced Research Fellow and Associate Director, NIHR Imperial Patient Safety Translational Research Centre, IGHI Dr Jonny Clarke, Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Research Fellow, IGHI, Imperial College London Dr Ahmed Alboksmaty, IGHI Research Associate Professor Paul Aylin, Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health, IGHI Dr Thomas Beaney, IGHI Clinical Research Fellow Register for the webinar
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Content ArticleAnaphylaxis is a severe and often sudden allergic reaction that occurs when someone with allergies is exposed to something they are allergic to (known as an allergen). Anaphylaxis is potentially life-threatening, and always requires an immediate emergency response. Between 10 May 2017 and 10 May 2019, 55 hospital trusts reported 77 incidents relating to allergens in hospital, three of which involved the patient going into anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening condition. This e-learning course is for nurses, healthcare assistants, ward managers, staff educators, directors of nursing, dieticians and anyone else involved in patient care on the ward. It has been designed to equip participants with knowledge and understanding about food allergies so that they can ensure the necessary processes are in place to keep inpatients with food allergies safe.
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Content Article
Maternity Action - Dignity in pregnancy
Patient-Safety-Learning posted an article in Maternity
This video by the organisation Maternity Action looks at the impact of UK Border Agency policies on pregnant women seeking asylum. The video highlights the unique challenges faced by women in this situation, including the risk of sudden deportation, lack of rights and mental health issues associated with trauma and lack of perinatal support. Two women share their stories of being pregnant and having young babies while in the asylum system. -
Content ArticleIn 2020, 82 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced. In the same year, the UK received applications for asylum for over 37,500 people. Over 40% of those were women and children, and 8% were children who had arrived in the UK alone without a parent or guardian. This information produced by the Royal College of Psychiatry aims to support health and social care professionals in the UK coming into contact with displaced people. It provides information, guidance and support to ensure timely, high-quality care.
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Content ArticleIn this interview Keith Strahan, Clinical Informatics Lead of the Social Care Programme at NHS Digital, explains why 'About me’ information in records is so important. He describes the process of developing the About Me Standard, published by the Professional Records Standards Body (PRSB), alongside family members of people with disabilities and communication difficulties.
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Content ArticleThis study in the Journal of Health Organization and Management aimed to explore factors shaping the implementation of five new care model (NCM) initiatives in the North East of England. The study findings demonstrate that all five pilot sites experienced, and were subject to, unrealistic pressure placed upon them to deliver outcomes.
