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Showing results for tags 'Healthcare associated infection'.
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News Article
Reviews of hospital-acquired covid deaths as ‘basic’ breaches found
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Senior doctors are leading a programme of work to review deaths caused by hospital-acquired covid in the North West, which has had disproportionately high rates of nosocomial infections over the last three months. According to internal NHS England papers seen by HSJ, a number of common themes have been identified as driving the infections in the region, including “breaches in the basic tenets of infection prevention control”, insufficient numbers of cleaning staff at some trusts, and a lack of consistent testing. The papers say there is also evidence that covid occupancy rates above 20 per cent drives nosocomial transmission. Occupancy rates in the North West have been near or above this level since the start of December, but have still been significantly lower than other areas, such as London. Read full story (paywalled) Source: HSJ, 24 February 2021 -
Content ArticleThis book aims to teach the key principles of patient safety to a diverse audience: physicians, nurses, pharmacists, other healthcare providers, quality and safety professionals, risk managers, hospital administrators, and others. It is suitable for all levels of readers: from the senior physician trying to learn this new way of approaching his or her work, to the medical or nursing student, to the risk manager or hospital board member seeking to get more involved in institutional safety efforts. Understanding Patient Safety is divided into three main sections. In Section I, it describes the epidemiology of error, distinguishes safety from quality, discusses the key mental models that inform our modern understanding of the safety field, and summarises the policy environment for patient safety. In Section II, it reviews different error types, taking advantage of real cases to describe various kinds of mistakes and safety hazards, introduces new terminology, and discusses what we know about how errors happen and how they can be prevented. Although many prevention strategies will be touched on in Section II, more general issues regarding various strategies (from both individual institutional and broader policy perspectives) will be reviewed in Section III. After a concluding chapter, the Appendix includes a wide array of resources, from helpful Web sites to a patient safety glossary.
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News Article
NHS board special measures call over child's hospital death
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Scotland's biggest health board should be put in "special measures" over its handling of hospital infection issues, according to an MSP. Anas Sarwar made the call after a mother accused NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) of covering up possible factors in her daughter's death.Mr Sarwar said the health board had tried to intimidate health service whistleblowers who had raised concerns. NHSGGC said the source of the child's infection could not be determined. Earlier this week a whistleblower revealed that a doctor-led review had identified 26 infections at Glasgow's Royal Hospital for Children in 2017 which were potentially linked to problems with the water supply. Kimberly Darroch, whose daughter Milly Main died at the hospital in August 2017 while in remission from leukaemia, said health officials gave her no inkling that contaminated water could have been a factor. Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has said the first she knew of Milly's death was when Ms Darroch emailed her about her concerns in September. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has offered to meet the family to discuss their concerns - but said it was impossible to accurately determine the source of Milly's infection because there was no requirement for water testing at the time. It said the hospital's water had been independently assessed as safe, and it criticised the whistleblower for causing "stress and anxiety" for Milly's parents when there was no evidence of a link. Anas Sarwar, however, insisted the health board had let down both patients and staff. He said: "There was an attempted cover-up of Milly's death, and there are still dozens of families who don't know the truth about infections contracted in the QEUH." Read full story Source: BBC News, 16 February 2021 -
Content ArticleThe coronavirus has a high incidence of patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Many patients infected with COVID-19 need to be admitted to the ICU for invasive ventilation. They are also at a high risk of developing secondary, ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).
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Content ArticleThis study, published in BMJ Quality and Safety, aimed to quantify the prevalence and nature of adverse events in acute Irish hospitals in 2015 and to assess the impact of the National Clinical Programmes and the National Clinical Guidelines on the prevalence of adverse events by comparing these results with the previously published data from 2009.Key findings:an estimated 54,000 patient safety or adverse incidents occurred in Irish public hospitals in 2015 this cost the health service an estimated €190m in additional costs for extended hospital stays and treatmentthe volume of adverse incidents in hospitals "remained stable" between 2009 and 201514% of all hospital admissions in 2015 involved an adverse incident compared to 12.2% in 2009.
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Content ArticleThis guide from the Patient Safety Movement Foundation gives actions and resources for creating and sustaining safe practices for surgical site infections.
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Content ArticleSurgical site infections (SSIs) present a considerable challenge for healthcare systems across the world, including in the UK, and have a substantial impact on patients and healthcare professionals. Despite clear evidence and guidelines on how to reduce the risk of these infections on a global, regional and national basis – and the fact that research shows up to 60% of SSIs are preventable – infection rates remain high. Progress has been made in recent years, yet more than 5% of patients undergoing a surgical procedure still develop an SSI, and each infection has been estimated to cost the NHS between £10,0003 and £100,000 per patient. It is now time to act. Collectively we need to reduce the variation in practice across the UK, embed evidence-based examples of best practice, and work collaboratively with the NHS to help reduce the incidence of SSIs to improve patient outcomes. Embedding this guidance and changes to practice cannot take place in silos. It will require action from the whole healthcare community: from policymakers, to trusts, to hospitals, healthcare professionals and medical Royal Colleges, right the way through to the patient themselves. This report, Time to Act: A State of the Nation report on Surgical Site Infections in the UK, will review the available evidence, examples of best practice and reflections from the front line, to make recommendations to each of these groups in order to drive significant improvement in reducing SSI rates in the UK.
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Content ArticleNHS Solent share their policy on healthcare workers screening and immunisation. The primary purpose of this policy is to reduce the risk of transmission of infection (as far as reasonably practical) from an infected healthcare worker-to-patient. The main known risks of infection through bloodborne virus in the clinical setting are from hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. This measure is not intended to prevent those healthcare workers from working in the NHS but rather to restrict them from working in clinical areas where their infection may pose a risk to patients in their care and by early diagnosis; allows them to manage their own health.
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Content ArticlePresentation from Professor Benedetta Allegranzi, WHO's Infection Prevention & Control Global Unit, on the World Health Organization's guidelines on the prevention of surgical site infections.
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Content ArticleWorld Health Organization (WHO) presentation summarising the global guidelines and recommendation for the prevention of surgical site infections.
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Content ArticleThis report summarises data submitted by NHS hospitals and independent sector (IS) NHS treatment centres in England to the national SSI Surveillance Service (SSISS) at Public Health England (PHE). The aim of the national surveillance programme is to enhance the quality of patient care by encouraging hospitals to use data obtained from surveillance to compare their rates of SSI over time and against a national benchmark, and to use this information to review and guide clinical practice. The SSISS provides an infrastructure for hospitals to collect data on 17 surgical categories spanning general surgery, cardiothoracic, neurosurgery, gynaecology, vascular, gastroenterology and orthopaedics. Surveillance is targeted at open surgical procedures, which carry a higher risk of infection than minimally invasive (‘keyhole’) procedures.
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News ArticleThe Becker's Clinical Leadership & Infection Control editorial team chose the top 10 patient safety issues for healthcare leaders to prioritise in 2021, presented below in no particular order, based on news, study findings and trends reported in the past year. COVID-19 Healthcare staffing shortages Missed and delayed diagnoses Drug and medicine supply shortages Low vaccination coverage and disease resurgance Clinical burnout Health equity Healthcare-associated infections Surgical mistakes Standardising safety efforts. Read full story Source: Becker's Healthcare, 30 December 2020
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Content Article
Mölnlycke: SSI Risk Reduction Partnership
Patient Safety Learning posted an article in Surgery
Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) are a problem of increasing concern with major implications for both patients and the NHS. Between 2014 – 2019 SSIs, as a percentage of all healthcare associated infections, jumped from 16% 1 to 20%. It is a growing problem, in need of a solution. Mölnlycke has developed the Risk Reduction Partnership is a new initiative that has been specifically designed to combat the problem and potentially help reduce its incidence and impact. -
Event
Time to act on surgical site infections
Sam posted an event in Community Calendar
untilThe webinar from GovConnect will consider: The impact of SSIs on the NHS and the promise of programmes such as Quality Improvement for Surgical Teams in meeting this challenge – led by Professor Mike Reed, Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic surgeon, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust The role of collaborative best practice guidelines in reducing surgical site infections post-COVID – led by Lindsay Keeley, Patient Safety & Quality Lead, The Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP) Lessons from Getting It Right First Time and the value of a collaborative approach to SSI reduction – Anna Thompson, SSI Surveillance Lead, Ashford and St Peter’s NHS Trust Group discussion on what more we can do to minimise the risk of SSIs, and how we can ensure that SSI reduction is prioritised by politicians and policymakers Register -
Content ArticleNHS England and Improvement, in collaboration with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), has selected the first antimicrobial drugs to be purchased via the UK’s innovative ‘subscription-type’ payment model. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) refers to the process by which microorganisms develop defences against antimicrobial drugs, enabling these microorganisms to adapt and become resistant to treatment. It’s a serious problem and has recently been identified as one of the World Health Organization’s top 13 global health challenges in the next decade. Without working antibiotics, routine surgery like caesarean sections or hip replacements will become too dangerous to perform, cancer chemotherapy will become prohibitively high-risk and certain infections will require long and complex treatment; or will no longer be treatable. Already, the microorganisms that cause many common diseases around the world – including tuberculosis, malaria, gonorrhoea, urinary tract infections and chest infections – can resist a wide range of antimicrobial medicines. Like all global challenges, leaders in the international community need to come forward and act on AMR, and the UK – with the NHS as the world’s largest single public health system – is taking the initiative. NHS England and Improvement project leads, Mark Perkins and David Glover, discuss this important step in tackling AMR.
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EventuntilThe webinar will consider: The impact of SSIs on the NHS and the promise of programmes such as Quality Improvement for Surgical Teams in meeting this challenge – led by Mike Reed, Consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. The role of collaborative best practice guidelines in reducing surgical site infections post-COVID – led by Lindsay Keeley, Patient safety & Quality Lead, The Association of Perioperative Practice (AfPP). Lessons from Getting it Right First Time and the value of a collaborative approach to SSI reduction – Anna Thompson, SSI Surveillance Lead, Ashford and St Peter’s NHS Trust. Group discussion on what more we can do to minimise the risk of SSIs, and how we can ensure that SSI reduction is prioritised by politicians and policymakers. Register
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Content ArticleFollowing Jeremy Hunt’s appointment as chancellor, HSJ is now hosting the Patient Safety Watch newsletter, written by Patient Safety Watch trustee James Titcombe. Read the latest newsletter: Patient Safety Watch: What can be done to improve duty of candour?
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News Article
PM’s local hospital warned by CQC over covid infection control
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
A hospital serving the prime minister’s constituency has been issued a warning notice by inspectors over poor infection control, including staff having to share two small toilet cubicles for changing. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) announced it has issued the notice to The Hillingdon Hospitals FT today following an unannounced inspection in September. It comes after the watchdog placed urgent conditions on the provider following a coronavirus outbreak among staff at Hillingdon Hospital in August. At least 70 members of staff had to isolate, some of whom had tested positive for covid. The watchdog said it found there had been improvements, but that “further work is needed”. The CQC’s inspection report, published today, said there were no staff changing rooms available for people to change in and out of their scrubs, and that they were sharing two small toilet cubicles at the start and end of shifts. These were not cleaned with an “enhanced” cleaning schedule, it added, and the lack of separate changing rooms “caused a risk of cross-contamination”. However, senior leaders were aware of the risk and were seeking ways to improve access to changing areas for staff. Read full story (paywalled) Source: HSJ, 4 December 2020 -
Content ArticleThe Patient Safety Movement Foundation is joined by Aryeh Shander, from Ichan School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Englewood Hospital and Medical Center in this video. There has been a long-standing perception in medicine that blood products can be used without judicious consideration. It is important to recognise that blood is a biological product and, as such, is subject to virus, which can be transmitted from donor to recipient without detection. While there have been improvements in transfusion safety, it is important to recognise the patient's risk and benefit ratio based on their individual circumstance and thoroughly evaluate all alternatives to a transfusion.
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Content ArticleThe national surgical site infection (SSI) surveillance service in England collates and publishes SSI rates that are used for benchmarking and to identify the prevalence of SSIs. However, research studies using high-quality SSI surveillance report rates that are much higher than those published by the national surveillance service. This variance questions the validity of data collected through the national service. The aim of this study from Tanner et al. was to audit SSI definitions and data collection methods used by hospital trusts in England.
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Content ArticleA set of 5 infographics describing the the factors that influence the risk of nosocomial transmission of infections (such as Covid19), and how health and care staff can take action to manage the risks and reduce the infection rate. The factors explained are: People Equipment Task Environment Organisation
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News Article
Hospital Covid ‘hotspots’ mapped out in a new HSIB report
Clive Flashman posted a news article in News
Hospital hotspots for COVID-19 have been highlighted in a new report by safety investigators. The report by the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) makes a series of observations to help the health service reduce the spread of coronavirus in healthcare settings. Hospital hotspots for COVID-19 included the central nurses’ stations and areas where computers and medical notes were shared, the HSIB found. The investigation was initiated after a Sage report in May which found that 20% of hospital patients were reporting symptoms of Covid-19 seven days following admission – suggesting that their infection may have been acquired in hospital. In response to the report, NHS England and NHS Improvement confirmed they would publish nosocomial – another term for hospital acquired infections – transmission rates from trusts, the HSIB said. Read full story Source: Express and Star, 28 October 2020 -
News Article
Structural racism led to worse Covid impact on BAME groups
Clive Flashman posted a news article in News
Minority ethnic people in UK were ‘overexposed, under protected, stigmatised and overlooked’, new review finds. Structural racism led to the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus pandemic on black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, a review by Doreen Lawrence has concluded. The report, commissioned by Labour, contradicts the government’s adviser on ethnicity, Dr Raghib Ali, who last week dismissed claims that inequalities within government, health, employment and the education system help to explain why COVID-19 killed disproportionately more people from minority ethnic communities. Lady Lawrence’s review found BAME people are over-represented in public-facing industries where they cannot work from home, are more likely to live in overcrowded housing and have been put at risk by the government’s alleged failure to facilitate Covid-secure workplaces. She demanded that the government set out an urgent winter plan to tackle the disproportionate impact of Covid on BAME people and ensure comprehensive ethnicity data is collected across the NHS and social care. The report, entitled An Avoidable Crisis, also criticises politicians for demonising minorities, such as when Donald Trump used the phrase “the Chinese virus”. The report, which is based on submissions and conversations over Zoom featuring “heart-wrenching stories” as well as quantitative data, issued the following 20 recommendations: Set out an urgent plan for tackling the disproportionate impact of Covid on ethnic minorities Implement a national strategy to tackle health inequalities Suspend ‘no recourse to public funds’ during Covid Conduct a review of the impact of NRPF on public health and health inequalities Ensure Covid-19 cases from the workplace are properly recorded Strengthen Covid-19 risk assessments Improve access to PPE in all high-risk workplaces Give targeted support to people who are struggling to self-isolate Ensure protection and an end to discrimination for renters Raise the local housing allowance and address the root causes of homelessness Urgently conduct equality impact assessments on the government’s Covid support schemes Plan to prevent the stigmatisation of communities during Covid-19 Urgently legislate to tackle online harms Collect and publish better ethnicity data Implement a race equality strategy Ensure all policies and programmes help tackle structural inequality Introduce mandatory ethnicity pay gap reporting End the ‘hostile environment’ Reform the curriculum Take action to close the attainment gap Read full story Source: The Guardian, 28 October 2020 -
Content Article
Patient Safety Movement: Story of Pat Denton
Patient Safety Learning posted an article in By patients and public
The story of Pat Denton who died from a surgery site infection after surgery. -
Content ArticleThe latest ECRI and the Institute for Safe Medication Practices PSO Deep Dive explores one of the areas that accounts for a large portion of healthcare volume: surgical care. Annually, surgery accounts for 7 million inpatient hospital stays and 36 million procedures in the outpatient setting. Although surgical safety has been the subject of guidelines, patient safety and quality improvement projects, and attention in the literature, adverse events continue to occur with relative frequency, putting patients at risk.
