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Showing results for tags 'Diagnosis'.
Found 470 results
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Content Article
The Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust
PatientSafetyLearning Team posted an article in Improving patient safety
The Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust aims to improve the diagnosis of aortic dissection and bring consistency of treatment across the whole patient pathway. They accomplish this through: Increased access to education for medical professionals and patients in the UK & Ireland Working with those responsible for Healthcare policy in the UK & Ireland to ensure that there is consistency in the provision of diagnosis for acute aortic dissection, specialised follow-up for survivors and access to clinical genetics for relatives Promoting funding for medical research into the detection, prevention, treatment and cure of aortic dissection. Follow the link below to access their resources. -
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Clare Rayner is a retired occupational health doctor who caught Covid-19 in March 2020. Clare has since worked with medical colleagues to raise awareness of their concerns associated with prolonged symptoms, also referred to as Long Covid. They have also contributed to the NHS England (NHSE) Long Covid Taskforce as patient/patient group representatives. One year on from her initial infection, Clare draws on personal and professional insight to explain why people living with Long Covid continue to feel let down, abandoned and frightened. -
Content ArticleInfants and very young children with cerebral palsy need effective, early intervention to improve life outcomes and minimise secondary complications. This report, from the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Cerebral Palsy, outlines several recommendations to improve early identification, intervention and pathways of care of infants and young children with cerebral palsy.
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Content ArticleThe ongoing impact of COVID-19 on health services across Europe has in most cases led to significant reductions in cancer screening, testing and diagnosis. The resultant delays in diagnosis are impacting cancer treatment and survival and are likely to do so for many years to come. Responses in individual countries and for individual tumour groups have differed, but there are common challenges in all countries. Some solutions go above and beyond the obvious actions that all countries are taking, and there are examples of how the system has reacted so far that provides the basis for further discussion on building lasting resiliency into healthcare systems and preparing for post-pandemic recovery. This report, published by IQVIA, highlights some of the approaches already being taken, as well as suggestions for what should be done going forward. It considers different stakeholders – from local pharmacies to national and international organisations – and their roles, as well as multi-stakeholder collaboration and cooperation. It aims to highlight initiatives adopted in some countries that can be shared more widely.
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Content ArticleThis work from Nurek et al. aims to provide a rapid expert guide for post Covid-19 condition ('long covid') clinical services. In the absence of research into mechanisms, therapies and care pathways, yet faced with an urgent need, guidance based on “emerging experience” is required.
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Content ArticleHow have health inequalities impacted the course of the pandemic? How do we optimise infection control across newly-opening schools? And finally: how can we overcome the barriers to wider understanding and recognition of Long Covid (Post-Acute Covid-19 Syndrome)? Dr Nisreen Alwan (University of Southampton) joins LivedHealth hosts Lere and Monique for this episode of Covid in the News to share her personal and professional experience on some huge, important questions for the community.
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Content ArticleIn this BMJ article, Brenda Denzler describes how earlier traumatic experiences of medical treatment continue to have an impact on her to this day and how medical professionals can make patients feel empowered and in control.
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Content Article
Endometriosis: one woman’s story
PatientSafetyLearning Team posted an article in Women's health
It affects an estimated 176 million women worldwide, yet endometriosis can take years to be diagnosed. In this blog, published on the Boots website, Terri White, author, journalist and Editor in Chief of Empire magazine, shares her story of the pain, frustration and delays in diagnosis she has faced. She also offers advice on how to get listened to. -
Content ArticleAdministrative data systems are used to identify hospital-based patient safety events; few studies evaluate their accuracy. McIsaac assessed the accuracy of a new set of patient safety indicators (designed to identify in hospital complications).
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Content ArticleNHSX's Innovation Team has released its latest digital playbook which focuses on eye care and directs clinicians and organisations to digital tools that can support patient pathways. The resource, which is extensive and features numerous case studies, can be used by eye care specialists looking to digitally enhance their ophthalmology pathways, remote monitoring and sharing of diagnostics.
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Content ArticleDiagnostic delays for endometriosis can occur as many of the symptoms are very similar to other common medical conditions. During 2018 and 2019, there were 24 incidents reported to the MDU (a medical defence organisation) which involved endometriosis. A common factor in these incidents involved a complaint or claim following an allegation of a missed or delayed diagnosis. A delayed diagnosis can lead to prolonged pain and suffering and may cause other physical and psychological problems for the patient, such as infertility, anxiety and depression. Failure to diagnose endometriosis or a delay in diagnosis is not necessarily negligent, but a claimant may have a case if they can demonstrate that a doctor's management fell below the expected standard - for example, by not adequately examining the patient, or by not considering the diagnosis when a patient presents with those signs and symptoms as described in the NICE guidance. MDU offers advice in this blog to help reduce the risk of a delayed or missed diagnosis of endometriosis.
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Content ArticleThe Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published its annual overview report of lessons learned from receipt of statutory notifications of accidental and unintended exposures to ionising radiation in 2020. This report provides an overview of the findings from these notifications and shares learnings from the investigations of these incidents.
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Content Article
AHRQ: Toolkit for engaging patients to improve diagnostic safety
Mark Hughes posted an article in Diagnostic error
Research suggests that a key factor contributing to diagnostic errors is the breakdown of communication between patients and healthcare professionals. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) in the United States has developed this toolkit to promote enhanced communication and information sharing between patients and healthcare professionals. It is designed to help patients, families, and health professionals work together as partners to improve diagnostic safety. -
Content ArticleThe Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) identified a patient safety risk involving the timely detection and treatment of non-malignant spinal compression (cauda equina syndrome). Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a rare and severe type of spinal stenosis, causing all the nerves in the lower back to become suddenly and severely compressed. If CES is not diagnosed and treated in a timely way it can lead to permanent incontinence, sexual dysfunction and even paralysis. The investigation was launched after HSIB identified an event where a patient had several GP and hospital presentations before CES was diagnosed.
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Content ArticleMedical Errors: Promoting a Culture of Patient Safety is a course for continuing education relicensure requirements for Florida doctors. The purpose of this course is to promote patient safety and improving patient outcomes and is suitable for Allopathic Physicians, Osteopathic Physicians, Dentists, Podiatrists, Physician Assistants and Dietitians who are licensed in the State of Florida.
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Content Article
Sarcoma awareness month: knowing the signs of sarcoma
PatientSafetyLearning Team posted an article in Cancers
Sarcomas are uncommon cancers that can affect any part of the body including bone, muscle, ligaments, fatty tissue and blood vessels. It is a condition which 75% of people in the UK are not aware of. Early detection is key to improving survival rates. In this blog, published on the NHS website, Dr Suma Kuna, MacMillan GP and Clinical Lead for Cancer and Palliative Care, talks about what sarcoma cancer is, and the signs to look out for. -
Content ArticleAnyone with the signs and symptoms of sarcoma needs to be seen as early as possible and referred to services that can quickly and accurately confirm the diagnosis. Doing this can save lives. Sarcoma UK are calling on policy makers to make faster and more accurate diagnosis a reality for the sarcoma community. They recommend that: A sarcoma education programme for healthcare professionals should be rolled out, placing importance on the individual impact of sarcoma and how it is important to rule it out, not rule it in. Awareness of sarcoma and its symptoms needs to improve. Sarcoma can occur anywhere in the body and it is vital that the public are aware of this. Ensure that there are clear and efficient referral pathways that allow primary healthcare professionals to access the optimum route for all their patients. Access their reports and policy documents by following the link below.
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Content Article
The charity Group B Strep Support (GBSS) has produced an information leaflet, written in partnership with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), aimed particularly at pregnant people and new parents and includes information on: What group B Strep is What group B Strep could mean for a baby How to reduce the risk of group B Strep infection to a baby The key signs of group B Strep infection in a newborn baby The leaflet, Group B Streptococcus in Pregnancy & Newborn Babies, has been translated from English into 14 other languages and is available in Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, English, French, Hebrew, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Somali, Urdu and Welsh. Follow the link below to the GBSS website to access and download all versions for free. -
Content ArticleDiagnostic errors can result in avoidable harm when undiagnosed conditions remain untreated or when patients undergo unnecessary (or harmful) tests. This study seeks to estimate the incidence and origins of avoidable harm from diagnostic errors in English general practice. It defines diagnostic errors as missed opportunities to make a correct or timely diagnosis based on the evidence available. The authors conclude that although missed diagnostic opportunities (MDOs) occurred in fewer of 5% of the investigation consultations they analysed, high numbers of primary care contacts nationally suggest that several million patients are potentially at risk of avoidable harm from MDOs each year.
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In this opinion piece, Becky Tatum discusses how genetic profiling of patient's tumours can lead to more personalised cancer therapy/treatment options with better outcomes. -
Content ArticleDiagnostics function as a compass in healthcare. They help determine the cause of a person’s condition, thus steering the healthcare provider towards the appropriate treatment or care pathway to address a disease and determine whether the approach is working. Despite their value in the healthcare delivery system, innovation, implementation, reimbursement and accessibility include barriers that constrain the use of diagnostics, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where increased availability could lower healthcare costs while saving lives. How can leaders increase affordable access to essential diagnostics globally? How can diagnostic advances be supported without contributing to growing disparities across the globe? This report seeks to address these questions through a landscape review of the global diagnostic ecosystem – including identifying key stakeholders, barriers and enablers along the product life cycle and the effectiveness of diagnostics – while highlighting the various challenges, opportunities and potential solutions across high-income countries and LMICs.
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Content ArticleA recording of the recent webinar, moderated by Dr Charlotte Tai, discussing the lessons learnt and advances in practice in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia. This is available for everyone to watch but you will need to provide an email address to request access.
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Content Article
Neonatal herpes is a rare, and potentially fatal, disease which usually occurs in the first four weeks of a baby's life. Early recognition and treatment have been shown to significantly improve babies' chances of making a full recovery. In the second blog of this series, Sarah de Malplaquet, Chief Executive and Founder of the Kit Tarka Foundation, shares Kit’s story, who died at just 13 days old. Sarah reflects on a number of ‘missed signs’, highlighting the urgent need for increased awareness among staff. -
Content ArticleIn this primer for Patient Safety Network, the authors examine the issues surrounding diagnostic error and delay during the Covid-19 pandemic. They discuss the following issues: Biases in the diagnostic process - availability bias, anchoring bias, implicit biases Diagnostic testing for active SARS-CoV-2 Infection Clinical implications of diagnostic error
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Content ArticleProfessor Ahmet Fuat, North East and North Cumbria Cardiac Network Heart Failure Lead, shares how one tool is helping reduce the current pressures and deliver better outcomes for patients. NT-proBNP testing – a NICE recommended diagnostic tool – is being used to rule out heart failure in primary care. In the North East and North Cumbria, patients must have an NT-proBNP test to be referred for an echocardiogram. This mandated testing helps them to streamline the diagnosis journey for heart failure patients by confirming or ruling out heart failure at the earliest possible opportunity, and reducing unnecessary referrals for echos. For patients, this saves time and distress, and for GPs and Nurse Practitioners, which reduces the number of repeat visits these patients often need to make.
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