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Showing results for tags 'Older People (over 65)'.
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News ArticleOnce COVID-19 seeps into care homes, it is a monumentally difficult job to protect the residents, writes Sky's Alex Crawford. We will look back at this appalling, tragic episode in our global history, and our children and grandchildren will ask us: "Did that really happen? Did you really leave the most vulnerable of our society - the elderly, the infirm, the defenceless, the muddled, sick and weak - in care homes, shut away from their closest relatives? Did you leave them to be ravaged by a deadly virus, and do very little to help them?" Because that is what's happening right now. There are elderly people - many with Alzheimer's, many with dementia, many frail - in thousands of residential homes up and down Britain, and they are very much at risk. Read full story Source: Sky News, 11 Aril 2020
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News ArticleHundreds of people are dying in care homes from confirmed or suspected coronavirus without yet being officially counted, the Guardian has learned. More than 120 residents of the UK’s largest charitable provider of care homes are thought to have died from the virus in the last three weeks, while another network of care homes is reported to have recorded 88 deaths. Care England, the industry body, estimated that the death toll is likely to be close to 1,000, despite the only available official figure for care home fatalities being dramatically lower. The gulf in the figures has prompted warnings that ministers are underestimating the impact of Covid-19 on society’s most frail, and are failing to sufficiently help besieged care homes and workers. Read full story Source: The Guardian, 7 April 2020
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News Article
UK healthcare regulator brands resuscitation strategy unacceptable
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Elderly care home residents have been categorised “en masse” as not requiring resuscitation, in a strategy branded unacceptable by the healthcare regulator. People in care homes in Hove, East Sussex and south Wales are among those who have had “do not attempt resuscitation” (DNAR) notices applied to their care plans during the coronavirus outbreak without proper consultation with them or their families, MPs and medical unions fear. Care homes in Leeds have reported that district nurses have been asking them to “revisit do not resuscitate conversations with people who said they didn’t want them” and a care worker in Wales told the Guardian that after a visit from a GP, all 20 of their residents had DNAR notices attached to their plans. DNAR notices are a common part of care plans and many people wish to have them in place because, in the event of cardiac arrest, attempts to resuscitate can cause serious trauma, including broken bones. But the Care Quality Commission and other medical bodies are so concerned about the blanket application of the notices that it has issued a warning to stop. “It is unacceptable for advance care plans, with or without DNAR form completion, to be applied to groups of people of any description,” the notice states. “These decisions must continue to be made on an individual basis according to need.” Read full story Source: The Guardian, 1 April 2020- Posted
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Content ArticleOlder adults are vulnerable at the onset of natural disasters and crisis and this has been especially true during the coronavirus COVID-19) pandemic. Globally, more than 50 million people have dementia, and one new case occurs every 3 seconds. Dementia has emerged as a pandemic in an ageing society. The double hit of dementia and COVID-19 pandemic has raised great concerns for people living with dementia. This paper published in the Lancet discussed lessons learned from China in protecting this vulnerable group of society.
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News Article
At-risk NHS workers told to put their health first as volunteer doctor dies
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Healthcare professionals have been told to consider not treating patients with the COVID-19 coronavirus if they themselves would be put at risk, part of new ethical guidance that calls on doctors to prioritise some ailments over the pandemic. The new recommendations for healthcare professionals over 70 years, or with pre-existing conditions, to put themselves first when tackling the pandemic comes following the death of a doctor who returned to the frontlines as a volunteer following a call to arms from the government. The guidance from the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) makes up part of a sweeping list of ethical considerations faced by healthcare workers in the face of the global pandemic. Read full story Source: The Independent, 2 April 2020- Posted
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Content Article
COVID-19: Guidance for residential care, supported living and home care
Claire Cox posted an article in Guidance
This new guidance set out by the Department of Health and Social Care covers a variety of scenarios relating to care homes, staff, and providers who care for people in their own homes to ensure older people and those with pre-existing conditions and care needs who receive support are best protected. Elderly people and those with underlying health conditions are much more likely to develop serious complications. Anyone who is suspected of having COVID-19, with a new continuous cough or high temperature, should not visit care homes or people receiving home care, and should self-isolate at home. People receiving care will be isolated in their rooms if they have symptoms of coronavirus. To ensure they can continue to receive the care they require, care staff will use protective equipment to minimise the risk of transmission. Building on existing strong local relationships, the NHS will work with care providers where necessary to make sure people have the best possible care and remain in the community. GPs have been asked to look at the possibilities of offering digital appointments to provide advice and guidance to patients and potentially their families. Councils have been told to map out all care and support plans to prioritise people who are at the highest risk and contact all registered providers in their local area to facilitate plans for mutual aid.- Posted
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Content ArticleThis guidance is for people, including children, who are at very high risk of severe illness from coronavirus (COVID-19) because of an underlying health condition, and for their family, friends and carers. It is intended for use in situations where the extremely vulnerable person is living in their own home, with or without additional support. This includes the extremely clinically vulnerable people living in long-term care facilities, either for the elderly or persons with special needs. Shielding is a measure to protect people who are clinically extremely vulnerable by minimising all interaction between those who are extremely vulnerable and others. We are strongly advising people with serious underlying health conditions (listed below) which put them at very high risk of severe illness from coronavirus (COVID-19) to rigorously follow shielding measures in order to keep themselves safe.
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Content Article
Safe Steps technology
Patient Safety Learning posted an article in Community care
Safe Steps Ltd creates digital web applications for UK care homes, local authorities and NHS trusts to help reduce falls for older people and residents.- Posted
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Content Article
Report to Prevent Future Deaths: Regulation 28 – Eileen Pollard
Claire Cox posted an article in Coroner reports
The Coroners and Justice Act 2009 allows a coroner to issue a Regulation 28 report to an individual, organisations, local authorities or government departments and their agencies where the coroner believes that action should be taken to prevent further deaths. Eileen Pollard died of a myocardial infarction. This coroners report was due to concerns raised by the patient numerous times around the call bell either not being near the patient or not working.- Posted
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Content ArticleIn this interview, Cheryl Crocker, AHSN Network Patient Safety Director, tells us more about her role and why she is passionate about care homes.
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Content ArticleDysphagia (swallowing problems) occurs in all care settings and although the true incidence and prevalence are unknown, it is estimated the condition can occur in up to 30% of people aged over 65 years of age. Stroke, neurodegenerative diseases and learning disabilities can be the cause of some cases of dysphagia, and may also result in cognitive or intellectual impairment, as well as visual impairment, NHS England received details of an incident where a care home resident died following the accidental ingestion of the thickening powder that had been left within their reach. Whilst it is important that products remain accessible, all relevant staff need to be aware of potential risks to patient safety. Appropriate storage and administration of thickening powder needs to be embedded within the wider context of protocols, bedside documentation, training programmes and access to expert advice required to safely manage all aspects of the care of individuals with dysphagia. Individualised risk assessment and care planning is required to ensure that vulnerable people are identified and protected.
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Content Article
Wessex AHSN: RESTORE2
Claire Cox posted an article in Health Innovation Networks (formerly AHSNs)
RESTORE2 is a physical deterioration and escalation tool for care/nursing homes based on NEWS2 and has been a key element of the process of implementing NEWS2 within care Homes, initially across Wessex and subsequently nationally via the AHSN network. In July 2019 RESTORE2 won a Parliamentary Award for Excellence.- Posted
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News Article
Hundreds of social care residents allegedly sexually assaulted, watchdog reveals
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Hundreds of elderly and vulnerable social care residents have allegedly been sexually assaulted in just three months, a shock new report from the care regulator has revealed. According to the Care Quality Commission there were 899 sexual incidents reported by social care homes between March and May 2018. Almost half were categorised as sexual assault. In 16% of the cases members of staff or visiting workers were accused of carrying out the abuse. The watchdog said it was notified of 47 cases of rape and told The Independent local authorities were informed and 37 cases were referred to police for investigation. Kate Terroni, Chief Inspector of adult social care at the regulator, said: “Supporting people as individuals means considering all aspects of a person’s needs, including sexuality and relationships. However, our report also shows all too starkly the other side of this – the times when people are harmed in the very place they should be kept safe. This is utterly devastating, both for the people directly affected and their loved ones." “It is not good enough to put this issue in a ‘too difficult to discuss’ box. It is particularly because these topics are sensitive and complex that they should not be ignored.” Read full story Source: The Independent, 27 February 2020- Posted
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- Community care facility
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Content ArticleMarginalised groups (‘populations outside of mainstream society’) experience severe health inequities, as well as increased risk of experiencing patient safety incidents. To date however no review exists to identify, map and analyse the literature in this area in order to understand 1) which marginalised groups have been studied in terms of patient safety research, 2) what the particular patient safety issues are for such groups and 3) what contributes to or is associated with these safety issues arising. This review from Cheraghi-Sohi et al. in the International Journal for Equity in Health highlights that marginalised patient groups are vulnerable to experiencing a variety patient safety issues and points to a number of gaps. The findings indicate the need for further research to understand the intersectional nature of marginalisation and the multi-dimensional nature of patient safety issues, for groups that have been under-researched, including those with mental health problems, communication and cognitive impairments.
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News Article
Hospital's 'gross failings' led to pressure sores death
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
A double amputee suffered fatal pressure sores caused by "gross and obvious failings" in her hospital treatment. Janet Prince, from Nottingham, developed the sores after being admitted to Queen's Medical Centre (QMC) in July 2017. The 80-year-old died in January 2019. Assistant Coroner Gordon Clow issued a prevention of future deaths report to Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH). Nottingham Coroner's Court had heard Ms Prince was taken to QMC in Nottingham with internal bleeding on 15 July 2017. The patient was left on a trolley in the emergency department for nine hours and even though she and daughter Emma Thirlwall said she needed to be given a specialist mattress, she was not given one. "No specific measures of any kind were implemented during that period of more than nine hours to reduce the risk of pressure damage, even though it should have been easily apparent to those treating her that [she] needed such measures to be in place," Mr Clow said. Ms Prince was later transferred to different wards, but a specialist mattress was only provided for her a few days before she was discharged on 9 August, by which time Mr Clow said her wounds "had progressed to the most serious form of pressure ulcer (stage four) including a wound with exposed bone". Mr Clow said there were "serious failings" over finding an appropriate mattress and other aspects of her care while at the QMC, including "a gross failure" to prevent Ms Prince's open wounds coming into contact with faeces. Mr Clow said the immediate cause of her death was "severe pressure ulcers", with bronchopneumonia a contributory factor. Recording a death by "natural causes, contributed to by neglect", he said he was "troubled by the lack of evidence" of any changes to wound management at NUH. NUH medical director Keith Girling apologised for the failings in Ms Prince's care, claiming the trust had "learnt a number of significant lessons from this very tragic case". Read full story Source: BBC News, 14 February 2020- Posted
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Why malnutrition matters in care homes? (October 2019)
Claire Cox posted an article in Community care
In this short video, Professor Martin Green explains why good nutrition in care homes is essential. He explains that screening patients before they come to the care home is a 'must do' rather than a 'nice to have'. This video was made for the National Nutrition awareness week in 2019.- Posted
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Over-diagnosis and over-treatment in the frail elderly (November 2019)
Claire Cox posted an article in Older people
Frailty is increasingly recognised as a critically important policy and quality of care issue in healthcare systems. There is clear evidence that frail older people are at increased risk of acute illness. These heightened risks mean that frailty is associated with high mortality and high healthcare utilisation. It is a key consideration in clinical decision-making. However, frailty is a contested concept, both in definition and measurement terms. Identification of frailty is complex and issues of over-diagnosis and over-treatment are increasingly garnering attention.- Posted
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Content ArticleADASS, is a charity that provides a national voice and leadership for adult social care. In 2019, they published a report, Sort out social care, for all, once and for all, setting out what they believe needs to be done by the Government to tackle the crisis. The report called for: Short-term funding, including continuation of the Better Care Fund and Improved Better Care Fund, to prevent the further breakdown of essential care and support over the course of the next financial year. Long-term funding and reform following, to enable us to build care and support for the millions who need it and create a social care system that is truly fit for the 21st century. A long-term plan for adult social care which means a support system in place that links with other public services including the NHS and supports resilient individuals, families and communities.
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Content ArticleElizabeth Beech's presentation at the Royal Society of Medicine's Improving Patient Safety & Care Conference.
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Content Article
Peri-operative care of people with dementia, 2019
Claire Cox posted an article in Dementia
Ageing populations have greater incidences of dementia. People with dementia present for emergency and, increasingly, elective surgery, but are poorly served by the lack of available guidance on their peri-operative management, particularly relating to pharmacological, medico-legal, environmental and attitudinal considerations. These guidelines seek to provide information for peri-operative care providers about dementia pathophysiology, specific difficulties anaesthetising patients with dementia, medication interactions, organisational and medico-legal factors, pre-, intra- and postoperative care considerations, training, sources of further information and care quality improvement tools.- Posted
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News Article
Dementia patient’s family feel let down over death
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
The daughter of a man with dementia who died after being pushed by another patient in a care facility, has said her family has been let down by authorities. John O'Reilly died a week after sustaining a head injury at a dementia care unit in County Armagh. The 83-year-old was pushed twice by the same patient in the days leading up to the fatal incident. His family were not made aware of this until after his death. On 4 December 2018, Mr O'Reilly was pushed by another dementia patient causing him to hit his head off a wall. His family have said he was pushed with such force that it left a dent in the wall. He was admitted to Craigavon Area Hospital with severe head injuries and died a week later. Last week, an inquest heard that the dementia patient who pushed Mr O'Reilly had a history of aggressive behaviour linked to dementia. The Southern Trust is carrying out as Serious Adverse Incident (SAI) investigation into Mr O'Reilly's death. Maureen McGleenon said: "Our experience of the SAI process has been dreadful. In our view it allows the trust to park the fact that something catastrophic has happened to a family. We were told it would be a 12-week process. It's over a year now and we've expended so much energy trying to figure out this process and find things out for ourselves." She added: "The system just knocks you down and makes you want to give up." "We'll never get over what happened to dad and we can't give up on trying to understand it." Read full story Source: BBC News, 20 January 2020- Posted
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Content ArticleIn his blog, Steve Turner, Head of Medicines and Prescribing at Medicine Gov, talks about how to manage medicines in care homes and implement quality standards. This blog is designed to provide information for care homes and for those choosing a care home.
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Content Article
The BAPEN self-screening tool for malnutrition
Claire Cox posted an article in Keeping patients safe
BAPEN’s web-based self-screening tool is designed for people who are worried about their weight or the weight of somebody they care about to quickly and easily work out if there is a risk of malnutrition.- Posted
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Content ArticleI-Hydrate was a collaborative research project, which used service improvement methodology, and was undertaken at two privately operated North West London care homes in partnership with care home staff, residents and their carers and families. I-Hydrate aimed to optimise the hydration of residents in nursing homes, improve the quality and safety of care and decrease dehydration and the morbidity associated with it.
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The last 1000 days, a short film about end of life
Claire Cox posted an article in Keeping patients safe
This moving video accompanied by a poem by Molly Case, speaks of the last 1000 days of a persons life, most of which is often spent in hospital. This is part of the #EndPjParalysis campaign and was commissioned by Prof Jane Cummings, Chief Nursing Officer for England,- Posted
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