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Showing results for tags 'Pandemic'.
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Content ArticleThis is a video recording of a Health Service Journal (HSJ) Patient Safety Congress webinar, in association with BD, considering some of the key emerging patient safety issues for 2022. The panel discuss the legacy of the Covid-19 pandemic patient and staff safety, what needs to be done to ensure that patient safety is designed into elective care recovery plans and the important role for co-production as part of this.
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Content ArticleThis report from CIPD examines the latest evidence and the experiences of employees experiencing long COVID, and offers recommendations for organisations on how to effectively support those with long COVID to return to, and stay in, work.
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Content ArticleThis is the second of two dynamic reviews of the evidence around people’s experience of the enduring symptoms following a Covid-19 infection. The National Institute for Health Research published their first review of the evidence in October 2020. At the time there was uncertainty about the extent to which there could be lasting effects, and most people assumed a linear progression of a severe acute infection with a long recovery tail. The first review on “Living with Covid-19” was informed by the experience of professionals and the NIHR worked closely with a group of people with lived experience. This review focuses on the published evidence. In addition, it reports findings from a short survey of people living with Covid-19. With over 3,000 responses it provides an insight into the key issues and challenges for people living with Covid-19.
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Content Article
BBC Sounds podcast - The Backlog (9 February 2022)
Patient-Safety-Learning posted an article in Exit strategies
This is the first episode in a series of podcasts by Natasha Loder, Health Policy Editor at The Economist, about the care backlog currently facing the health service. After more than two years battling Covid-19, the NHS is struggling through its worst winter crisis in living memory and is facing a daunting task to clear the huge backlog exacerbated by the pandemic. Nearly six million people are on the NHS waiting list for routine treatment in England alone. As patients, often with worsening conditions, pour back into the NHS after putting off treatment, health secretary Sajid Javid warns waiting lists could top thirteen million. In this first episode, Natasha speaks to frontline workers, managers, policy experts, and patients to assess the pressure created by the unprecedented demand on the different areas of the NHS from emergency services to GP surgeries. -
Content ArticleThe COVID-19 pandemic has led to changes in health service utilisation patterns and a rapid rise in care being delivered remotely. However, there has been little published research examining patients’ experiences of accessing remote consultations since COVID-19. Such research is important as remote methods for delivering some care may be maintained in the future.
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Content ArticleThis qualitative study in Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control aimed to identify institutional actions, strategies and policies related to healthcare workers’ safety perception during the early phase of the Covid-19 pandemic at a tertiary care centre in Switzerland. The authors interviewed healthcare workers from different clinics, professions, and positions. The study identified transparent communication as the most important factor affecting healthcare worker's safety perceptions during the first wave. This knowledge can be used to help hospitals better prepare for future infectious disease threats and outbreaks.
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Content ArticleThis study in Occupational Medicine examined the impact of the introduction of face masks during the Covid-19 pandemic on D/deaf healthcare professionals (HCPs). The study found that D/deaf HCPs felt left behind, isolated and frustrated by a lack of transparent masks and reasonable adjustments to meet their communication needs. This resulted in some leaving their roles, and loss of experienced, qualified HCPs has a significant economic and workforce impact, particularly during a pandemic. The authors call for urgent action to ensure D/deaf HCPs are provided with the workplace support required under the Equality Act (2010).
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Content ArticleRichard Murray, Chief Executive of The King’s Fund, comments on the NHS elective recovery plan.
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Content ArticleThe Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the amount of planned care the NHS has been able to provide. This delivery plan sets out how the NHS will recover elective care over the next three years. It has been developed with a wide range of expert partners and explains how the NHS will capitalise on current success and embed new ideas to ensure elective services are fit for the future.
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Content ArticleThe single worst stressor on healthcare workers is the gap between what their patients need and what they can deliver. The covid-19 pandemic is making this divide wider than ever, writes Esther Choo in this BMJ article.
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Content ArticleA delayed discharge is when a patient no longer requires hospital care but isn’t able to leave. Earlier this winter, hospital trusts in England were asked to work with local partners to cut delayed discharges by half by the end of January. Natasha Curry and Liz Fisher show how the situation has actually got worse since, and discuss the possible reasons why.
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Content ArticleThe Covid-19 vaccination programme has been one of the few almost unqualified successes of the UK’s response to the pandemic. System-working, joining up the NHS, local government and the voluntary sector was a hallmark of the vaccine roll-out. Local knowledge and delivery were crucial. Volunteers also played a vital role, not just in acting as stewards at vaccination sites, but also in terms of community outreach, for example with faith communities and others offering sites for vaccination which in turn built trust in the vaccine and in the NHS. The NHS has never used so much data so quickly and so powerfully, supporting the delivery of vaccine doses, recording any adverse reactions and, most importantly, allowing NHS staff to map who had the vaccine. This data in turn supported outreach work to support gaps in service provision and overcome vaccine hesitancy. These factors which helped make the roll out a success should be ‘bottled and re-used’ for other NHS services, from childhood immunisations to screening for cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure and other conditions, improving the service’s ability to reach the harder to reach Based on interviews with a wide range of people involved in the programme, this King's Fund report sets out what the roll-out in England has achieved as well as its trials and tribulations.
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Content ArticleThis study in the BMJ Open examines the links between between adverse childhood events and trust in Covid-19 health information, attitudes towards and compliance with Covid-19 restrictions and vaccine hesitancy. The study found correlations between adverse childhood events and: low trust in NHS Covid-19 information feeling unfairly restricted by government supporting removal of social distancing and ending of mandatory face coverings breaking Covid-19 restrictions vaccine hesitancy. The authors concluded that as adverse childhood events are common across many populations, there is a need to understand how they impact trust in health advice and uptake of medical interventions. This could play a critical role in the continuing response to Covid-19 and approaches to controlling future pandemics. In addition, as individuals with adverse childhood events suffer greater health risks throughout life, better compliance with public health advice is another reason to invest in safe, secure childhoods for all children.
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Content ArticleThis self-assessment tool has been developed by the British Lung Foundation for people with Long Covid symptoms. It aims to help patients identify and prioritise their needs, signposts them to further information and outlines the help they should get in dealing with Long Covid. It is anonymous and takes 5-10 minutes to complete. Patients can also print out their answers and share them with healthcare professionals an employers to clearly highlight an individual's needs.
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Content ArticleThe resilience of health systems and cooperation between Member States have become particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic. On the occasion of the French Presidency of the European Union (FPEU) 2022, the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies and the General Directorate for HealthCare Services of the French Ministry of Health have worked together to produce this special issue of Eurohealth to better understand how health systems have responded to the health crisis and to draw lessons for improving resilience of health systems. (Available in both English and French.)
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Content ArticleIn this personal narrative, Dr Ahmed Khalafalla describes his experience of the Covid-19 pandemic as a general practitioner in Saudi Arabia. He describes new mental health issues that he has witnessed in his clinic as a result of infection prevention and control measures, and asks questions about the ongoing impact of the pandemic on the health needs and behaviour of the general population.
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Content Article
The Health Foundation Covid-19 policy tracker
Patient-Safety-Learning posted an article in Coronavirus (COVID-19)
This resource by The Health Foundation provides a timeline of national policy and health system responses to Covid-19 in the UK. Themes include: Policy narrative Measures to limit spread Health and social care response Research and development Broader policy Policy history -
Content ArticleThis study in BMJ Quality & Safety aimed to determine whether areas with higher levels of socioeconomic deprivation or larger ethnic minority populations saw larger falls in emergency and planned admissions in England during the Covid-19 pandemic. The study found that Covid-19 did not have an evenly spread impact on NHS hospital care for non-Covid patients, with disparities corresponding to deprivation and ethnicity. Although it is hard to determine the mechanisms behind these differences, the authors argue that they could make pre-pandemic health inequalities worse.
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EventThis year's conference is all about IPC Legends focusing on individuals who in their respective fields are experts willing to share their knowledge with us, and exploring new ideas in the field of IPS. Alyson Prince – Built Environment Infection Prevention & Control Nurse Specialist/Engineering, Archus Healthcare Infrastructure Specialist who will be covering Ventilation in the Healthcare Setting – What is the air and why is it important. Dave Cunningham – Leadership & Workforce Workstream Lead, NHS Improvement who will be providing an update on the National Infection Prevention IPC Educational framework. Leo Andrew Almerol – Vascular Clinical Nurse Specialist, Imperial College NHS Trust / Vascular Access Nurse 2022, British Journal of Nursing will be providing an update on The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Vascular Access Service in the UK. Dr Emily McWhirter – Nurse Consultant, World Health Organization will be sharing with us Leadership and expertise in influencing IPC practice. Professor Elaine Cloutman-Green – Consultant Clinical Scientist (Infection Control Doctor), Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust is speaking around Challenges in IPC: Aiming for progress not perfection. Dr Mat Moyo – Quality Improvement Mentor / Founder, Quantum Quality Improvement Coaching / Lecturer, Solent University will be speaking to us about Quality Improvement Project Coaching in IPC: Wise People Ask for Help and Get Further!" Sir Jonathan Van- Tam MBE – Former Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England 2017-2022, recording on Learning from the pandemic and the mission of vaccinating the nation will be played before we conclude the day by hearing from Karen Storey – Nursing Retention and Liaison Lead, who will demonstrate to us Shiny Mind app and the benefits to us all for our wellbeing. Register
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Event
NHS Long Term Plan 2023
Patient Safety Learning posted an event in Community Calendar
The pandemic struck just over a year after the Long Term plan was published, a year which was designed to lay the groundwork for many of the plan’s commitments. Some of this had progressed, for example new Primary Care Networks were created, but work on delivering many of the plan’s goals had only just begun when COVID-19 arrived. It’s clear that no part of the NHS Long Term Plan has been unaffected by the pandemic. The conference will build on collaboration during the pandemic across government departments, health and care organisations, local government, and voluntary, community and private sector organisations to prevent and mitigate some of the most pressing impacts of COVID-19 on the nation’s mental health and wellbeing and support people who are struggling. Register -
EventuntilSir Mike Richards’ review of diagnostics, Diagnostics: recovery and renewal, which was commissioned in response to recommendations in the NHS Long-Term Plan, outlined a new diagnostic model for services. The review identified key enablers to drive and deliver much needed to change to optimise diagnostic capacity and improve efficiency, along with the need for a major expansion of the workforce and improved connectivity and digitisation across all aspects of diagnostics. Demand for almost all aspects of diagnostics has been rising year on year. The public’s familiarisation with swab testing and testing closer to home through the Covid-19 has provided a strong launch pad to change the approach to diagnostics in response to this rising demand This King's Fund event will explore what can be learnt from the NHS reponse to Covid-19, how partners are working to reshape diagnostic pathways through community diagnostic centres, point-of-care testing and increasing workforce capability and capacity. Register
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EventThis Westminster conference will discuss the future for Long Covid research, services, and care. It will be an opportunity to assess Long Covid: the NHS plan for improving Long Covid services and how its ambitions for improving access to services, patient experience and outcomes for patients can be achieved. Further sessions examine priorities for research and improving understanding of Long Covid, looking at implementing the latest developments in research to improve services, and the long-term health implications of Long Covid. There will also be discussion on addressing concerns around inequalities, capacity and wait times for Long Covid services, as well as the primary care referral system, and utilisation of investment. Sessions in the agenda include: latest developments: trends - key issues - assessing the NHS plan for improving long COVID services. clinical research: taking forward the understanding of Long Covid - advancing clinical trials - utilising data - funding and investment. improving patient outcomes, prediction and prevention - accelerating the development of effective treatments - areas for focus, such as cardiology. examining the increased risk of long-term health conditions and impacts of reinfection for Long Covid patients. improving specialist Long Covid services: progress made so far and priorities for moving forward. options for increasing capacity - addressing inequalities in provision, access to services and information - applying latest developments from research. children’s Long Covid services: assessing delivery - implications for child development and attainment. primary care: tackling key challenges for diagnosis and referral. the workforce: priorities for education and training - support for long COVID patients in the workforce. Register
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EventuntilChaired by Patient Safety Learning's Helen Hughes, and sponsored by BD, an expert panel will discuss what measures are needed to achieve transformational change in the way infection is detected, monitored, prevented, and managed across the NHS, healthcare systems and broader society. The session will touch on how industry, professional bodies and healthcare experts can work collaboratively to support the creation of a healthcare system which is resilient and mature in dealing with disease outbreak and pandemic preparedness, infection prevention, and rapid treatment of time-critical infection, ultimately delivering antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) and improved sepsis outcomes. What attendees will learn: Understand the current challenges and barriers to effective infection prevention. What the future of infection prevention and management looks like in a post-COVID-19 world. Collaboration between all stakeholders – industry, government and PAGs – will be critical in delivering a holistic solution and pathway to robust infection management. Register
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EventThe COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted nearly all countries’ health systems and diminished their capability to provide safe health care, specifically due to errors, harm and delays in diagnosis, treatment and care management. “Implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for patient safety: a rapid review” emphasises the high risk of avoidable harm to patients, health workers, and the general public, and exposes a range of safety gaps across all core components of health systems at all levels. The disruptive and transformative impacts of the pandemic have confirmed patient safety as a critical health system issue and a global public health concern. The objectives of the WHO event are : provide an overview of implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for patients, health workers, and the general public highlight importance of managing risks and addressing avoidable harm in a pandemic situation discuss implications of the pandemic for patient safety within broader context of preparedness, response and recovery lay the foundation for follow-up work around generating more robust evidence and supporting countries in their efforts to build resilient and safer health care systems. Register
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Content ArticleThis study in the Journal of Medical Virology aimed to assess the extent and the disparity in excess acute myocardial infarction (AMI)-associated mortality during the pandemic, focusing on the outbreak of the Omicron strain. Using data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) National Vital Statistics System, the authors found that excess death, defined as the difference between the observed and the predicted mortality rates, was most pronounced for the 25–44 years age group. Excess deaths ranged from 23%–34% for the youngest compared to 13%–18% for the oldest age groups. The trend of mortality suggests that age and sex disparities have persisted even through the Omicron surge, with excess AMI-associated mortality being most pronounced in younger-aged adults.
