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Showing results for tags 'Patient safety / risk management leads'.
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News Article
Winter viruses to surge alongside Covid warn medics
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
Since lockdown, people have not been exposed to viruses that normally circulate during the winter months, but now that restrictions are lifting, there are concerns the viruses may make a comeback. Now, leading medics have warned there will be a surge in respiratory viruses alongside Covid-19 this winter and have urged anyone experiencing symptoms to self-isolate. Testing for flu, Covid and respiratory viruses common in children and elderly may help doctors treat cases quickly, doctors have said. A report by Professor Azra Ghani, from Imperial College London found a surge in winter viruses during the summer. She has said "Whilst we expect the peak in deaths to be considerably lower than last winter, under some scenarios we could see hospital admissions rise to similar levels." Read full story. Source: BBC News, 15 July 2021 -
News Article
Face masks and ventilation needed after July 19th
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
The Royal College of Nursing has written to the Prime Minister demanding continued protective measures after the loosening of restrictions on July 19th. In a joint letter with the British Medical Association, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, British Dental Association and College of Optometrists, they ask for support and protection for healthcare staff. The letter says “The need to recognise health and care settings as unique environments for the care and safety of the most vulnerable is paramount. While you state that you would expect the public to continue wearing face coverings in healthcare settings, we ask that this is translated into action". Read full story. Source: RCN, 14 July 2021 -
News Article
New study develops a 'core outcome set' to make new surgical techniques safer
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
A new study has been published focusing on surgical innovation and how it could be made safer. The research set out to develop a 'core outcome set', an agreed minimum set of outcomes to measure and report for safe surgical techniques in all audits, research, and clinical practice. The study, co-led by Dr Kerry Avery, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Bristol and NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) has said "It may surprise many people to learn that surgical procedures haven’t traditionally been subject to the kind of regulation we see in other areas of medicine. But to ensure safety and improve efficiency, a core outcome set is an important step". Read full story. Source: University of Bristol, 13 July 2021- Posted
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- Patient safety / risk management leads
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News Article
Nurse understaffing during the Covid-19 pandemic may have impacted patient safety
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
A new study has found nursing shortages may have negatively impacted patient safety, including unsafe practice management workarounds and cognitive failures. Research has found cutting corners when understaffed may have been the only way to get the work done quicker due to the added strain and heavier workload and in another study, it was discovered nurse staffing demand increased to 245 percent between September and December 2020. It was also reported that nurses who had little or no experience of working in the ICU environment were assigned to work there which may have led to higher stress levels and cognitive failures such as memory and attention lapses. Read full story. Source: Recycle Intelligence, 13 July 2021 -
News ArticleThe RCN council has agreed to support the principles behind a petition, started by RCN Professional Nursing Committee member Alison Leary, calling for the title of 'nurse' to be protected and reserved for those who are registered. Whilst the term 'registered nurse' is protected in law, the term 'nurse' is not, meaning anyone can call themselves a nurse, regardless of whether they have the appropriate qualifications or not. The RCN believes the title should be protected in order to help protect the public and ensure accountability. Read full story. Source: RCN, 12 July 2021
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News ArticleSpire Health Care in Bristol and the Mercy Hospital in Missouri have been awarded contacts by the Scottish government to perform surgical mesh removal for Scottish women, with costs for travel and surgery covered by the hospitals, the BBC reports. Each procedure has been estimated to cost between £16,000 and £23,000, with contracts to remove the mesh outside of Scotland expected to start later in the summer. Marian Kenny, 62, from Glasgow has said, "It has given me and lots of other women hope - and that's not something I've had in my life for quite some time." Read full story. Source: BBC News, 12 July 2021
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News Article
NHS waiting list could increase to 13 million warns the health secretary
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
Health secretary Sajid Javid has warned NHS waiting lists will soar amid the incoming third wave of coronavirus. Thousands of patients are on hold for at least 2 minutes before their 999 calls are answered, The Independent has revealed. Mr Javid has also been told by officials the situation will get worse in the coming weeks. Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph, Mr Javid has said "Hearing that figure of 13 million, it has absolutely focused my mind, and it’s going to be one of my top priorities to deal with because we can’t have that." Read full story. Source: The Independent, 11 July 2021- Posted
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- Long waiting list
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News Article
Vaginal mesh scandal: no action from ministers
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
A year on from the vaginal mesh scandal and ministers have failed to take action. The new health secretary Sajid Javid has been called on to intervene by families, lawyers and campaigners and has been asked to implement recommendations made by the Cumberlege Inquiry. Emma Hardy, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Surgical Mesh Implants has said “Women deserve better than the government’s refusal to implement the Baroness Cumberlege recommendations. The recommendations will not only make life better for those living with mesh complications, but they will also improve patient safety for everyone in the future.” Read full story. Source: The Independent, 08 July 2021- Posted
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- Womens health
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News Article
Ambulance trusts on 'black alert'
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
999 calls soar as patients experience record waiting times in the back of ambulances. The Independent has seen a leaked brief from the West Midlands Ambulance Service and has found patients have been waiting for hours outside hospitals, meaning ambulances could not respond to any emergency 999 calls. Ambulance staff have also faced hours of delays resulting in at least four hours or more at the end of their 12 hour shift. The briefing in June said "“This current situation is unacceptable and leads to fatigue, poor morale, has impacts on patient safety and potentially non-compliance with the Working Time Directive.” Read full story. Source: The Independent, 9 July 2021- Posted
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News ArticleNew data has revealed patients waiting for more than two years for elective surgery has grown by nearly half in one month, HSJ reports. Calls from The Independent Healthcare Providers Network has asked the government to set out a plan on how patients can access care, detailing how 20,000 fewer appointments went ahead in May 2021. However, NHSE have said despite there being fewer appointments, productivity has increased since restrictions were eased. Read full story (paywalled). Source: HSJ, 09 July 2021
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News Article
RCN responds to proposed health service reforms in England
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
On 6th July the government published a new Health and Care bill detailing new proposals and a package of reforms to the UK health and care system. However, the bill does not make ministers accountable for NHS workforce planning. The Royal College of Nursing has long campaigned for ministers to be legally accountable. RCN Acting General Secretary & Chief Executive Pat Cullen has said "“Ducking the question of workforce accountability will also make it even harder for the government to deliver on the pledge of 50,000 more nurses – vital for the delivery of safe care to patients.” Read full story. Source: Royal College of Nursing, 06 July 2021 -
News Article
NHS under strain from winter pressures
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
A new report has emerged on hospitals now seeing an overwhelming influx of patients. The report details how urgent care is now under immense strain from people seeking care in emergency departments across the country. Read full story (paywalled). Source: Nursing Times, 08 July 2021 -
News Article
New survey reveals only 45% of patients feel in control of their health
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
A survey by Patient Safety Movement Foundation (PSMF), a global non-profit has found their respondents did not feel in control of their health. The survey focused on how the public view on patient safety and preventable medical harm and their understanding of it. Some highlights of the results include: 53.2% knew what the term 'medical error' meant, with only 37% being able to define it 58% worried about medical errors 45.9% of the public felt in control of what happens to their health The findings of the survey suggest there is still some way to go in educating the public about medical errors and to bring about more awareness on the issue. Read full story. Source: Business Wire, 07 July 2021- Posted
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- Patient safety / risk management leads
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News Article
NHS hospitals cancel operations amid unfolding third wave
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
An influx of Covid-19 patients is being seen in hospitals, leading to cancelled operations. Staff are having to self-isolate for ten days, leading to shortages with Leeds Teaching Hospital having to cancel non-urgent operations in order to help cope with the numbers of patients coming in with Covid-19. It has also been found that other hospitals and ambulance services are being affected as the third wave unfolds. The Department for Health and Social Care has been approached for comment. Read full story. Source: The Guardian, 08 July 2021 -
News Article
Poor nursing pay is a ‘patient safety issue’ say campaigners
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
Over 60 demonstrations took place on 3 July 2021 to protest over pay. Figures have suggested that a band 5 nurse takes home around £5,000 less per year than they did a couple years ago due to austerity measures and a public sector pay cap. The protest as arranged by groups Keep Our NHS Public, Health Campaigns Together, NHS Workers Say No and NHS Staff Voices with a separate demonstration by Nurses United UK have raised concerns for patient safety, arguing that the pay issue has a direct impact on recruitment and retention of nurses. Read full story. Source: Nursing Notes, 3 July 2021 -
News ArticlePatients with a lung disease may die before they can be diagnosed with an illness, charities have warned. Those on waiting lists for over a year with severe or worsening symptoms are at a higher risk, says health taskforce. Read full story. Source: The Telegraph, 6 July 2021
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- Medicine - Respiratory
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News ArticleFresh Air NHS, Patient Safety Learning and the Safer Healthcare and Biosafety Network are calling for urgent change to the UK government’s guidelines on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which are failing to adequately protect healthcare workers against the airborne nature of the Covid 19 virus. In March 2020, UK PPE guidance for Covid-19 facing healthcare workers was downgraded, from requiring airborne protection for all staff, to only those in areas where aerosol generating procedures were commonly performed – mainly the ICU. To-date, approximately 1,500 UK health and care workers have died from Covid-19, with non-ICU healthcare workers experiencing far greater risk of infection than their better protected ICU colleagues. It is estimated that a further 122,000 health service workers who contracted Covid-19 are struggling with prolonged symptoms, often referred to as Long Covid. Commenting on this, Helen Hughes, Chief Executive of Patient Safety Learning, said: “Providing enhanced PPE to everyone working in non-ICU Covid-19 wards would offer much-needed reassurance that our leaders are committed to protecting both patients and staff from avoidable infection and the associated consequences. “The lack of recognition of the airborne nature of Covid-19 transmission from the UK government puts at risk the safety of healthcare staff, their loved ones and patients. There needs to be an urgent review of the PPE guidance to ensure that it is lawful, evidence-based, reflective of the airborne nature of the Covid-19 virus, and that safety is prioritised.” Read full story. Source: Safer Healthcare and Biosafety Network, 06 July 2021
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News Article
Manchester Royal Infirmary under major pressures
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
Staff at Manchester's Royal Infirmary have said they are facing mounting pressures amid staff shortages and increasingly long waiting lists in A&E. Doctors and nurses have said they were told a 'major incident' was declared, however, it was then reduced to an internal incident in an attempt to avoid 'bad press'. A clinician has said A&E patients are now regularly waiting over 8 to 10 hours overnight due to an increasing influx of patients and a surge in children attending A&E. Read full story. Source: The Independent, 26 June 2021 -
News Article
Compensation to be paid to family of patient who died from starvation
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
The family of a patient is to be paid a 6 figure sum after staff failed to realise she was malnourished and had intestinal failure, subsequently starving to death. The out-of-court settlement comes after Linda Doherty, 69, was found to have died from sepsis and acute kidney injury, malnutrition, intestinal failure secondary to Crohn’s disease and ileal resection, and inadequate nutritional intake. Read full story. (paywalled) Source: BMJ, 25 June 2021 -
News Article
Woman in Scotland dies after cervical cancer screening error
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
A woman in Scotland has died from cervical cancer after she was excluded from the cervical cancer screening programme. The error meant that more than 400 women have also not been tested and it has been revealed since then, a small number of women have developed cervical cancer. It has also emerged that some of the women wrongly excluded from the screening programme had partial hysterectomies dating back to 1997. Maree Todd, the Scottish public health minister extends her condolences to the family of the woman who died. NHS boards are putting together better measures to ensure the errors do not happen again. Read full story. Source: The Guardian, 24 June 2021- Posted
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- Womens health
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News Article
Statement released by the RCOG and FSRH on women's painful IUD experience
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
A statement has been released by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and the Faculty for Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) addressing the concerns raised by women on painful IUD fittings. Dr Diana Mansour, Vice President of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) and Dr Edward Morris, President at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists give a statement in support to women who have experienced pain during an IUD fitting, describing their concern and dismay at women's pain being dismissed. Dr Edward Morris calls 'on the UK government to ensure these experiences are recognised and addressed in the new Women’s Health Strategy for England'. Read full story. Source: Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, 22 June 2021 Related hub content: The pain of my IUD fitting was horrific…and I’m not alone- Posted
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News Article
Outdated hospital oxygen systems a ‘risk to patients’, review warns
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
A new review by a Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) found outdated systems used to provide oxygen around hospitals struggled to cope with demand, particularly during the winter months during the Covid surge. HSIB was created to investigate safety issues in England, and have said the problems with oxygen was not isolated to just one hospital. Read full story. Source: BBC News, 24 June 2021 -
News Article
Patient safety threat: A&E swapped by record high numbers
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
Hospitals around the UK are facing record numbers of patients coming into A&E, overwhelming the service. New records have been set, surpassing that of the worst days in the winter of 2019. Concerns over patient safety have been raised amid fears lives may be lost. It has been revealed by doctors working in A&E that patients are waiting to be seen as long as nine hours and the increased influx of people needing urgent treatment is putting more pressure on hospital beds. There are also reports of growing levels of violence towards medical staff from frustrated public. Dr Adrian Boyle has said "there is no quick fix" and that the increased pressure and violence from members of the public have created a "toxic work environment". Read full story. Source: The Independent, 20 June 2021 -
News Article
Safety concerns raised after junior doctors found seeing acute inpatients alone
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
A regulator has warned a trust to take immediate action after it was found junior doctors were seeing acute inpatients alone. The warning comes after a serious safety concerns were raised when a doctor was stabbed by a patient. Health Education England has ordered Central and North West London Foundation Trust to ensure doctors are always accompanied by another member of staff with appropriate qualifications after safety concerns were raised regarding patient and staff. Read full story. (Paywalled) Source: HSJ, 15 June 2021 -
EventThe eyewatering cost of clinical negligence claims to the NHS have dominated the headlines over the years, with spending increasing on average by 13% each year since 2010/11. Should costs continue to rise at the same rate, we could see the NHS paying out £4.4 billion a year by 2023/24, constituting a major threat to the sustainability and viability of the NHS. We need to tackle the problem at the source – by making improvements in quality and patient safety so that both patient harm and subsequent litigation are reduced. According to NHS England, by 2024, continuous improvements in patient safety could save an extra 1,000 lives and up to £100m in care costs each year. So how can this threat be reversed and where does technology come into play? The role of technology in enabling staff to shift from a reactive to a proactive approach to deliver patient care, subsequently preventing avoidable harm Investing in the right infrastructure to support staff identify risks, ultimately reducing litigation costs Really committing to learning and having a system in place which instils that learning Enabling and supporting system-wide safety improvements To register, please click here.