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Content ArticleWork stress is one of the leading causes of physical and mental problems among nurses and can affect patient safety. Nurses experiencing stress are more prone to make errors, which has consequences for the safety culture. This study, published in BMC Nursing, aimed to describe the findings of studies that examined the relationship between job stress and patient safety culture among nurses.
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Content Article
At Patient Safety Learning we believe that sharing insights and learning is vital to improving outcomes and reducing harm. That's why we created the hub; providing a space for people to come together and share their experiences, resources and good practice examples. This week is World Immunisation Week so our Content and Engagement Manager, Lotty, has picked nine resources full of practical advice about vaccination in a range of settings. -
News Article
NHS threatens legal action to block second day of nurses’ strike
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
The NHS has launched a legal challenge that could end in the high court to block the second day of an upcoming strike by tens of thousands of nurses. Officials at NHS Employers wrote to the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) on Wednesday saying the union’s plans for a two-day strike were unlawful. In response, it is understood the RCN has said it will “forcibly resist” employers’ attempts to seek a high court injunction designed to block the strike, which they insist is lawful. The threat raises the possibility of a high court clash between NHS lawyers backed by the government and those of the nursing union. It also highlights the increasingly bitter relationship between the government and those representing workers on the frontline of the health service. Read full story Source: The Guardian, 20 April 2023 -
Content ArticleWound care is rarely considered a strategic objective within health and care, but it has considerable impact on patients and on health service resources. In this blog, Ameneh Saatchi, Senior Partnerships and Policy Manager at Public Policy Projects looks at the growing burden of wound care on the health service and what can be done to tackle the problem.
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News ArticleAn all-out nurses’ strike over the May bank holiday will present “serious risks and challenges” to the NHS, a health leader has warned. Sir Julian Hartley, chief executive of NHS Providers, said the “unprecedented” strike action – which will involve staff in emergency departments, intensive care units and cancer care for the first time – was “extremely worrying”. He also said the threat of coordinated industrial action with junior doctors could result in the “most difficult challenge” for the NHS to date. Sir Julian told BBC Breakfast: “If this takes place in the way that it’s been described, then it would be the first time that we’ve seen nurses not working in those key areas, which of course would present serious risks and challenges for trusts to manage and mitigate that.” Nick Hulme, chief executive of Ipswich and Colchester hospitals, told Radio 4 the latest round of nurses’ strikes will “significantly increase the risk to patients”, adding cancer patients will face greater risks as care could be delayed. He said: “If there is a delay to cancer care, some delays won’t cause significant effects, but there are many people who have been waiting far too long for care and this will only exacerbate that risk." Read full story Source: The Independent, 16 April 2023
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Content ArticleCalculating nurse staffing in the acute hospital has become a key issue but solutions appear distant. Community, mental health and areas such as learning disability nursing have attracted less attention and remain intractable. This review from Leary and Punshon aimed to examine current approaches to the issue across many disciplines.
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Content Article
Nursing notes on a scandal (31 March 2023)
Patient-Safety-Learning posted an article in Nursing
The tenth anniversary this year of the publication of the Francis Report in 20131 is marked by the largest scale of industrial action ever taken by nurses in the UK for better pay and conditions and, especially, safe staffing. In this article in the Future Healthcare Journal Alison Leary and Anne Marie Rafferty reflect on opportunities missed in the last decade in the attempt to secure safe staffing in nursing. They consider the aftermath of the public inquiry into Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust and its consequences for nursing, and how policymakers have consistently ignored a growing body of evidence outlining the benefits of safe staffing. -
Event
NHS England: Time-critical medication webinar
Sam posted an event in Community Calendar
untilThe webinar will be aimed at all Nursing and Midwifery professionals in all healthcare settings. It will look at time-critical medication and improving practice in this area, with a particular focus on medication for Parkinson’s Disease and Diabetes. The webinar will draw on expertise in Pharmacy, Nursing, Midwifery and other specialists such as Parkinson’s UK (charity) and their patient led campaign, which links to the focus on Personalised Care in the NHS Long Term Plan. There will be presentations from patient representatives who will share their experience of receiving time critical medication in healthcare settings and experts in this area. The design of the webinar has taken a collaborative approach - with the co-design taking place between NHS England, subject matter experts, clinicians and patient representatives. The codesign process will involve nursing, medical and pharmacy staff in discussion and feedback on processes for safely delivering time critical medication. This will educate staff and help to improve processes through the involvement of both staff and patients. Reserve your place -
Content ArticleIn the UK today, nearly 40% of the population are living in poverty because of low income. This means that nurses and midwives are likely to meet people experiencing poverty and deprivation as part of their everyday work and should be ready and able to help them access the assistance they need to overcome the associated challenges. This article in the British Journal of Nursing examines the link between financial status and people's health and wellbeing. The article includes a case study and suggestions as to how nurses and midwives can promote financial wellbeing.
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Content ArticleThis article explains Quality and Safety Education in Nursing (QSEN), a US initiative to align nursing education and nursing best practices in quality and safety standards. The six focus areas of QSEN are: Patient-centred care Evidence-based practice Teamwork and collaboration Safety Quality improvement Informatics
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News Article
‘Fit-notes’ from nurses and physios to ease GP pressure
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
Nurses and physiotherapists can now provide ill patients with “fit-notes” to stay off work in an attempt to ease pressure on GP services. A range of health staff including pharmacists and occupational therapists are certifying illness sign-offs under moves to free up doctors to tackle the treatment backlog. NHS Grampian has successfully completed a pilot scheme at a GP practice which staff described as “really positive” and a step in the right direction. David Cooper, a GP from Old Machar Medical Practice in Aberdeen, said: “It is a more efficient way for us to work as a practice. For the nurses, physiotherapists and others who are working closely with a patient, it makes sense for them to be able to work on fit-notes without having to refer back to a GP for sign off. “We have found it works particularly well for those with chronic, long-term conditions or illness and the process behind the scenes is also now electronic so it saves paper, time and energy.” Paul Gray, a physiotherapist at Old Machar, said: “It makes the patient’s journey easier and it is better for people to access them from those who are assessing your physical capabilities." Read full story (paywalled) Source: The Times, 6 April 2023 -
Content ArticleThe overall goal for the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) project is to meet the challenge of preparing future nurses who will have the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to continuously improve the quality and safety of the healthcare systems they work in. This webpage outlines the competencies in the QSEN competency framework: Patient-Centered Care Teamwork and Collaboration Evidence-based Practice (EBP) Quality Improvement (QI) Safety Informatics
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Content ArticleA shortage of nurses across the world, including in countries that provide nurses for international recruitment, has created a global health emergency, according to the latest report from the International Council of Nurses. The report, Recover to Rebuild: Investing in the Nursing Workforce for Health System Effectiveness, lays out the devastating impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on nurses around the world. It urges that investment in a well-supported global nursing workforce is needed if health systems around the world are to recover and be rebuilt effectively. It also warned against reliance on the “quick fix” of international recruitment instead of investing in nursing education, as this was contributing to staff shortages even in countries with a long tradition of educating nurses to work in higher income countries. The report, co-authored by the organisation's chief executive, Howard Catton, and nursing workforce policy expert Professor James Buchan, includes the findings of workforce surveys from more than 25 countries, including the UK, as well as other research.
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Content ArticleThis paper, published in the International Journal of Health Governance, discusses and analyses the need and benefits of a patient safety definition within the context of nursing. The predominant role of nurses due to the proportionate size and significant role along with the need for clarification of patient safety in nursing terms is recognised. Research evidence of nursing areas with safety issues and relevant nursing interventions are presented. Based on all findings, a research-based nursing specific patient safety definition is proposed. This definition includes three axes: What is patient harm? How this harm can be eliminated or reduced? Which are the areas of nursing practice that are identified to provide opportunity for patient harm? These axes include nursing specifications of the patient safety definition.
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Content ArticleHealthcare IT News interviewed Wendy Deibert, senior vice president of clinical solutions at Caregility, a telehealth technology and services company, to talk about virtual nursing's role in helping tackle the nursing shortage.
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EventuntilAbout 900,000 Americans develop venous thromboembolisms each year, about half of which are healthcare-associated. Up to 70% of these blood clots are preventable, yet fewer than 50% of hospital patients receive appropriate preventive treatment, according to the CDC. During this webinar, two experts will share tools and strategies nursing leaders can use to empower their teams to become VTE prevention champions and achieve sustained quality improvements. Learning points: The cost of VTEs — from patients to providers to financial repercussions Key strategies to enhance compliance and improve outcome quality How to energize and excite your team for long-term success. Register
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News Article
Nursing shortages are delaying spinal operations
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Nursing shortages are contributing to children waiting up to three times longer for spinal surgery than pre-pandemic, a top surgeon has claimed. Chris Adams says up to one in four operations are cancelled at NHS Lothian, with staffing the main reason. Mr Adams also claims that some children are not being put on waiting lists as early as they should be. NHS Lothian disputes some of Mr Adams' statements but says "significant pressures" are affecting waiting times. The senior clinician, one of Scotland's three paediatric spinal surgeons, said he was speaking out of behalf of spinal patients and their families The surgeon's claims appear in a new BBC Disclosure investigation into Scotland's NHS, which reveals that some children are waiting up to three times longer than pre-pandemic for spinal surgery, with some waiting more than a year. At least 51 out of a possible 190 planned spinal surgeries at RHCYP were cancelled at short notice in 2022, with nursing shortages understood to be the main cause Read full story Source: BBC News, 7 March 2023 -
Content ArticleWatch Professor Alison Leary discuss the huge value of specialist nursing at the hFRenDs event in July 2022.
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Content ArticleThis article by Katherine Virkstis, Managing Director of the US health thinktank Advisory Board, looks at the growing problem of a nursing 'skills gap' in the US. She argues that this area is often overlooked, but needs to be tackled to ensure patients are safe. A recent boom in new nurses graduating means that the balance of the nursing workforce is now less experienced than it has previously been. The growing complexity of patients and care approaches in healthcare systems also means that the demand for highly-trained nurses with specific skills has increased. The author explains this as a widening 'experience-complexity gap' and suggests four strategies to close the gap: Bolster emotional support and show staff your own vulnerability as a leader Dramatically scope the first year of practise Differentiate practice for experienced nurses Reinforce experienced nurses' identity as system citizens
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News Article
Doctors pressured not to make a fuss over Lucy Letby, trial told
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
A consultant has said that doctors were put under pressure by hospital management not to make a fuss when they raised concerns about nurse Lucy Letby. Dr Ravi Jayaram said his team first raised concerns about unusual episodes involving babies in October 2015 but nothing was done Ms Letby, 33, is accused of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder 10 others at the Countess of Chester Hospital between 2015 and 2016. He told the court the matter was raised again in February 2016 and the hospital's medical director was told at this point. The consultants asked for a meeting but did not hear back for another three months, the court heard. Ms Letby was not removed from front-line nursing until summer 2016. Dr Jayaram told jurors that he wished he had bypassed hospital management and gone to the police. He said: "We were getting a reasonable amount of pressure from senior management at the hospital not to make a fuss." Read full story Source: BBC News, 28 February 2023 -
News Article
Nurses set for 'intensive' talks with government after strike paused
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Health Secretary Stephen Barclay is to meet Royal College of Nursing bosses for pay talks later, after the union suspended next week's planned strike. In a joint statement, after months of bitter dispute, the two sides said they would begin "intensive talks" on "pay, terms and conditions" and "reforms to enhance productivity". Next week's walkout in England, from 1 to 3 March, was set to be the biggest strike of this winter's pay dispute, with half of frontline services affected. The action would have included nursing staff from intensive care units, cancer care and other services that were previously exempted. RCN general secretary Pat Cullen said: "We will put our plans on the table, they can put their plans on the table - but I'm confident that we will come out with a fair pay settlement for our nursing staff." She added they would make sure no stone was left unturned and a fair pay deal was reached as quickly as possible so they could end the strikes. Read full story Source: BBC News, 22 February 2023 -
News Article
Nurses to walk out of emergency departments for 48 hours
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Nurses will walk out of emergency departments, intensive care units and cancer care services for the first time in the next wave of strike action. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has announced its members will strike for 48 hours, from 6am on 1 March until 6am on 3 March and that a range of derogations will be removed, including emergency care cover. More than 120 NHS organisations — covering all types of providers, integrated care systems and national organisations (see map below) — will be affected by the RCN’s walkout next month as it represents the most significant escalation of strike action yet by nurses. Previously, quite extensive exemptions (known as “derogations”) have been agreed, but the RCN has this time indicated they will be much more limited. HSJ asked the RCN what services will remain subject to national derogations, but a spokesman said discussions are continuing at a national level as part of a commitment to “life and limb care”. He added services will be reduced to an “absolute minimum” and hospitals will be asked to rely on members of other unions and clinical professions instead. Read full story (paywalled) Source: HSJ, 16 February 2023 -
Content ArticleThis article in Nurse Leader examines mounting evidence for nurse and patient safety associated with registered nurse (RN) fatigue. What changes driven by strong evidence are nursing leaders enacting to reduce the impact of RN fatigue on patient and nurse safety?
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News Article
NHS A&E and cancer nurses set to join ‘most disruptive’ strikes yet
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Nurses in England are preparing to escalate their dispute with the government by involving staff from NHS A&E departments, intensive care and cancer wards in a series of 48-hour strikes. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is understood to be planning to announce walk outs for two consecutive days and nights, rather than limiting action from 8am to 8pm as they have done so far. NHS leaders warned the looming strike could be the “biggest impact” on patients yet seen, with the union preparing to end a process where the RCN had agreed to exemptions with hospitals. The RCN told NHS leaders on Friday it is preparing to step up its dispute by asking its members working in emergency departments, intensive care units and oncology to join the strike. But the union, expected to announce the strike this week, will make a very limited set of provisions for the most urgent clinical situations as part of a legal obligation not to endanger life. Saffron Cordery, deputy chief executive at NHS Providers said: “A continuous 48-hour strike that includes staff from emergency departments, intensive care units and cancer care services would likely have the biggest impact on patients we’ve seen.” Read full story Source: The Independent, 12 February 2023 -
Content ArticleIn this BMJ opinion piece, Scarlett McNally discusses the revised National Safety Standards for Invasive Procedures (NatSSIP2). The original NatSSIPs were designed to prevent “never events”—yet more than 300 occurrences of wrong site surgery, retained objects after procedure, or wrong implant insertion still occur yearly in the UK. NatSSIP2 brings in safety science and human factors, with expectations for organisations including standardisation, harmonisation, training, and audit. "The biggest danger is if the new standards sit on the shelf. With their benefits for patient safety and teamworking, we must accept the repetitive elements and consistently apply these new standards, every time, in every department", writes Scarlett.
