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Content Article
Surgical Outcome Risk Tool v2 (SORT)
Patient Safety Learning posted an article in Surgery
Some patients die after major surgery. Risk prediction tools can help shared decision making with the patient, aiding decisions on whether to operate, how to prepare and use of critical care. An international multi-centre prospective observational cohort study in 274 sites with 22,631 patients compared risk prediction with 30-day mortality. In 88.7% of cases clinicians exclusively used subjective assessment. The best predictions were from the SORT tool combined with clinical assessment. P-POSSUM Surgical Risk Scale, SRS and SORT all over-predicted risk, with SORT performing best. This 10-question SORT model has been updated including clinician assessment and provides an accurate means of predicting perioperative risk. -
Content ArticlePatient advocate Vonda Vaden Bates interviews Brandyn Lau, Assistant Professor of Radiology and Health Sciences Informatics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, around the importance of venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis for hospitalised patients.
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Content ArticlePatient safety is vital to well-functioning health systems. A key component is safe prescribing, particularly in primary care where most medications are prescribed. Previous research has demonstrated that the number of patients exposed to potentially hazardous prescribing can be reduced by interrogating the electronic health record (EHR) database of general practices and providing feedback to general practitioners (GPs) in a pharmacist-led intervention. This study aimed to develop and roll out an online dashboard application that delivers this audit and feedback intervention in a continuous fashion.
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Content ArticleOver the past 12 years, the number of emergency hospital admissions in England has increased by 42%, from 4.25 million in 2006/07 to 6.02 million in 2017/18. Over 60% of patients admitted to hospital as an emergency have one or more long-term health conditions such as asthma, diabetes or mental illness. Patients with long-term conditions spend under 1% of their time in contact with health professionals. The majority of their care, such as monitoring their symptoms and administering medication and treatment, comprises tasks they or their carers manage on a daily basis. To find out how able patients currently feel to manage their health conditions, the Health Foundation looked at Patient Activation Measure (PAM) scores, which assess four levels of knowledge, skill and confidence in self-management, for over 9,000 adults with long-term conditions. In this briefing, the Health Foundation assesses the evidence for the effectiveness of a range of approaches the NHS could use more often to support patients to manage their health conditions. These include: health coaching, self-management support through apps, social prescribing initiatives and peer support including via online communities.
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Content ArticleThe increased use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic has added challenges for healthcare workers and accessing the right PPE, or having the right equipment and staff, can be difficult. This guidance from Royal College of Physicians (RCP) aims to help individuals working in healthcare to ensure PPE use does not impair patient safety. This guidance, created by the RCP Medicine Safety Joint Working Group and led by the RCP’s Medicines safety clinical fellow, Jennifer Flatman, aims to raise awareness of key issues relating to the use of PPE. It includes recommendations on how you can help to mitigate against patient safety issues related to PPE in your healthcare environment and considers scenarios such as use of PPE when performing tasks and situational awareness.
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Content ArticleFor some, the day we learned of our rare disease diagnosis is a happy day. Odd, isn’t it? Imagine having your closest friends and family thinking that you are overreacting a bit, or that you are searching for some attention? It might be frustrating! Having a diagnosis can be very important, not only in order to consider medical needs, but sometimes it can also come as proof that something is happening to the body, proof to others that there is something going on. Several people across the globe, with different rare diseases, have shared their story, telling us about needing to be heard and understood.
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Content ArticleThe use of healthcare complaints to improve quality and safety has been limited by a lack of reliable analysis tools and uncertainty about the insights that can be obtained. The Healthcare Complaints Analysis Tool, developed by Alex Gillespie and Tom W. Reader was used to analyse a benchmark national data set, conceptualise a systematic analysis, and identify the added value of complaint data.
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Content ArticleA new toolkit to support GPs to deliver care for patients with hearing loss and aims to encourage deaf patients to access primary care, has been launched. The educational kit, developed by Royal College of GPs (RCGP) in collaboration with the UK’s largest hearing loss charity, RNID and NHS England and Improvement aims to support GPs to consult effectively with deaf patients by offering tips on how to communicate during face to face and remote appointments. It also offers guidelines on how to recognise early symptoms of hearing loss and how to refer patients for a hearing assessment. The project aims to support GPs implement the latest NICE Guidelines, NHS Accessibility Quality Standard and Guidance across the UK. Resources include an Essential Knowledge Update (EKU) Screencast, GPVTS Teaching Powerpoint, Podcasts, Hearing Friendly Practice Charter for your GP Surgery to sign up to, EKU Online E-learning Module, RCGP Accredited Deaf Awareness Online Course, Hearing Friendly Practice Animation Video and much more.
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News Article
Support for Long COVID patients visiting their GP
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
PRESS RELEASE (London, UK, 19 November 2020) – The charity Patient Safety Learning and the Royal College of GPs have published new guidance to help patients with post COVID-19 syndrome (also known as Long COVID) understand the support they can expect from their GP. This guidance draws on the RCGP's recent summary and top tips for GPs caring for patients with post COVID-19 syndrome. Both these documents have been produced in advance of more detailed national guidance being developed by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) and the Royal College of GPs, due to be published in December 2020. Helen Hughes, Chief Executive of Patient Safety Learning, said: “We have used the RCGP’s guidance to produce a simple patient-friendly guide to help support people living with Long COVID in the interim period before more detailed guidance is produced by NICE. We hope that this guidance will empower and inform patients, providing them with an evidence-based document that can be shared with those around them. We believe that this will also help raise awareness of the health challenges these patients are facing so that their health and recovery needs can be better met.” Professor Martin Marshall, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: “It’s important that patients experiencing debilitating prolonged effects of Covid-19, which we know affect a small but significant number of people who have had the virus, feel that they have the understanding and support of the GPs and other healthcare professionals delivering their care. To this end we hope this guidance is helpful for them. The RCGP is working hard to ensure that the long term effects of Covid-19 are recognised, especially in those who were never admitted to hospital, and that our GP members have interim guidance whilst waiting for formal national guidance, currently being developed by NICE, SIGN and the College, to be published.” Notes to editors: 1. The new Patient Safety Learning and RCGP guidance can be found here: Post COVID-19 syndrome: What support can patients expect from their GP? 2. Patient Safety Learning is a charity and independent voice for improving patient safety. We harness the knowledge, insights, enthusiasm and commitment of health and social care organisations, professionals and patients for system-wide change and the reduction of avoidable harm. We believe patient safety is not just another priority; it is a core purpose of health and social care. Patient safety should not be negotiable. 3. The RCGP guidance for GPs can be found here: RCGP, Management of the long term effects of COVID-19. The RCGP response and top tips for caring for our patients, V1 30 October 2020. -
News ArticleA hospital trust in Bristol has been accused of risking lives after raising its patient-to-nurse ward ratio to dangerously high levels, having allegedly dismissed staff concerns and national guidance on safe staffing. University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) has introduced a blanket policy across its hospitals that assigns one nurse to 10 patients (1:10) for all general adult wards. This ratio, which previously stood at 1:6 or 1:8 depending on the ward, rises to 1:12 for nights shifts. The new policy, which is applicable to Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI) and Weston General Hospital, also extends to all specialist high-care wards, which treat patients with life-threatening conditions such as epilepsy and anaphylaxis. Nurses at the trust have expressed their anger over the decision, saying they were never fully consulted by senior officials. Many are fearful that patient safety will be compromised as the second coronavirus wave intensifies, culminating in the unnecessary loss of life. “Patients who would have extra nursing staff because they are very acutely unwell and need close observation I think are going to unnecessarily die,” one nurse at BRI told The Independent. “Or if they survive, they’ll suffer long-term conditions because things were missed as they don’t have the staff at their bed side to watch the deterioration.” Read full story Source: The Independent, 18 November 2020
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Community Post
Patients wanted to help review information documents
RHarrison posted a topic in Data and insight
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Hi there, I represent a team of researchers in Reading, who are submitting ethical approval for a project investigating pain research and knee surgery. Part of this process is receiving feedback from an NHS ethics committee and addressing this for the benefit of the science, patients and clinicians involved. One suggestion they have made is that we involve patients within the review of our information sheets, which detail the procedures (both medical & research) that they may consent to. There is no requirement of expertise or experience from any patient who wishes to be involved, we are just very eager to make sure our information is clear, free of jargon and doesn't come across as confusing or intimidating. The committee have indicated this is an optional recommendation, but it is one that I am very keen to engage with. As it's optional, we are unable to shift our deadline for this, and I would unfortunately need the documents reviewed and submitted by Thursday 26th November. If this is something that anybody would be willing to help us with, I'd be very grateful. One information sheet is 2 pages, and the other is 7 pages, if this offers a good idea of how much time it may require. My hope it it would take no more than 30 minutes. If you are able to volunteer your time, please contact me on rich.harrison@reading.ac.uk, and I will forward you the documents for your review. Once again, thank you in advance! Richard -
Content ArticleThis survey looks at the experiences of people who stayed at least one night in hospital as an inpatient. People were eligible to take part in the survey if they stayed in hospital for at least one night during November 2021 and were aged 16 years or over at the time of their stay.
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Content ArticleThe global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has taken a dramatic toll on virtually all aspects of life, from the economy, to employment, relationships, public health, and personal health. In the United States, more than 200,000 individuals have died of the coronavirus. As of October, hundreds of thousands of Americans are filing unemployment claims each week. For all of us, the pandemic has become a time marked by uncertainty, fear, and grief. According to a survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 40 percent of US adults reported struggling with mental health or substance use issues. Although much of the general population has admitted to feeling more anxious and depressed during the pandemic, those with substance use and mental health issues face unique challenges.
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Content ArticleThe purpose of the US Joint Commission's National Patient Safety Goals is to improve patient safety. The goals focus on problems in healthcare safety in the USA and how to solve them. They include identifying patients correctly, improving staff communication, use medicine safely, use alarms safely, prevent infection, identify patient safety risks and prevent mistakes in surgery.
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Content ArticleOn 23 September, Improvement Cymru, the all-Wales Improvement service for NHS Wales, hosted an online session with colleagues from Holland to talk about patient flow in hospital.
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Content Article
Prostate Cancer UK: Best practice pathway
Patient Safety Learning posted an article in Men's health
Developed to support healthcare professionals at the front line of prostate cancer diagnosis and care, Prostate Cancer UK's Best Practice Pathway uses easy to follow flowcharts to guide healthcare professionals deliver best practice diagnosis, treatment and support. It sets out how to achieve an early diagnosis in men at higher than average risk of the disease. It also supports use of the most up-to-date, cutting-edge research-led innovations - so that healthcare professionals are equipped and supported to provide the very latest evidence-based best practice to their patients. -
News Article
NHS England suspends one-to-one nursing for critically ill Covid patients
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Nurses will be allowed to look after two critically ill COVID-19 patients at the same time after NHS bosses relaxed the rule requiring one-to-one treatment in intensive care as hospitals come under intense strain. NHS England has decided to temporarily suspend the 1:1 rule as the number of people who are in hospital very sick with Covid has soared to 11,514, of whom 986 are on a ventilator. The move comes amid concern that intensive care units, which went into the pandemic already short of nurses, are being hit by staff being off sick or isolating as a result of Covid. It follows a warning last week by Prof Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer, that the Covid resurgence could overwhelm the NHS. Dr Alison Pittard, the dean of the Faculty of Intensive Care, which represents doctors in ICUs, welcomed the shift to a more “flexible” nurse/patient staffing ratio in critical care. But she said it must be used only for as long as the second wave is putting units under serious pressure. “Covid has placed the NHS, and critical care in particular, in an unenviable position and we must admit everyone for whom the benefits of critical care outweigh the burdens. This means relaxing the normal staffing ratios to meet this demand in such a way that delivers safe care, but also takes account of the impact this may have on staff health and wellbeing." “The 1:2 ratio is a maximum ratio, to be used only to support Covid activity, [and] not for planned care, and is not sustainable in the long term. This protects staff and patients”, she said. Read full story Source: The Guardian, 8 November 2020 -
Content Article
Prostate Cancer UK: risk checker
Patient Safety Learning posted an article in Men's health
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, but most men with early prostate cancer don’t have symptoms. So what should you do? Click the link below and and answer three quick questions to find out. -
Content ArticleDave Noakes talks about his cancer journey, the feelings he went through and the impact it has had on his life in this blog for Movember.
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Content Article
Samaritans: Real people, real stories
Patient Safety Learning posted an article in Men's health
In a recent survey from the Samaritans, men gave the reasons why they were struggling to cope: 42% of men said that pandemic restrictions have had a negative impact on their mental health. 40% of men said that talking to others helped with concerns and worries they had during the pandemic. We understand the power of human connection and how talking can help when you’re finding life tough. The Samaritans have collated real stories from men who have been through tough times, encouraging other men to seek help. -
News ArticleThe government is facing criticism over its guidance on safe visits to care homes in England. Labour and a number of charities have described the suggestions, including floor-to-ceiling screens, designated visitor pods and window visits, as impractical. Alzheimer's Society has said it "completely misses the point". Justice Secretary Robert Buckland told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the guidance was "non-exhaustive". The updated government advice, which came into effect on Thursday, says care homes - especially those which have not allowed visits since March - "will be encouraged and supported to provide safe visiting opportunities". Labour's shadow care minister Liz Kendall said many care homes would not be able to comply with the government's requirements which meant "in reality thousands of families are likely to be banned from visiting their loved ones". She said instead of suggesting measures such as screens, the government should "designate a single family member as a key worker - making them a priority for weekly testing and proper PPE". Kate Lee, chief executive at Alzheimer's Society, said: "We're devastated by today's new care home visitor guidance - it completely misses the point: this attempt to protect people will kill them." She said the pandemic had left people with dementia isolated and thousands had died. The guidelines "completely ignore the vital role of family carers in providing the care for their loved ones with dementia that no one else can", she added. She said the "prison-style screens" proposed by the government with people speaking through phones were "frankly ridiculous when you consider someone with advanced dementia can often be bed-bound and struggling to speak". That view was echoed by Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, who said she was "acutely aware" that the methods being sanctioned were "unlikely to be useable by many older people with dementia, or indeed sensory loss". Read full story Source: BBC News, 5 November 2020
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Content ArticleNHS Pharmacy aseptic services in England provide sterile controlled environments for the preparation of injectable medicines into Ready to Administer (RtA) formats for patients. Although not highly visible to patients, £3.84 billion is spent on injectable medicines across the NHS in England each year. Services are subject to high levels of regulatory control and quality assurance. Products include chemotherapy, injectable nutrition and clinical trials for new medicines. This has the potential to release nursing time for care, improve patient safety and support more patient care closer to home. Pharmacy aseptic services are an essential cornerstone of many critical NHS services. They make the chemotherapy that treats cancer patients, the intravenous feed that keeps very sick children and those with intestinal failure alive and the innovative medicines that target complex diseases. The report was commissioned by the Minister of State for Health to provide advice to the government and NHS England and Improvement (NHSE-I), to regional, system, and trust pharmacy leads, as well as independent sector aseptic pharmacy providers.
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Content ArticleThis study from Harris et al. estimated the effect of prompt admission to critical care on mortality for deteriorating ward patients. They found that prompt admission to critical care leads to lower 90-day mortality for patients assessed and recommended to critical care.
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Content ArticleIn this short analysis from the Health Foundation, data from the GP patient survey, an annual independent survey run by Ipsos MORI on behalf of NHS England, was used to explore who gets good access to general practice, unpicking how patient satisfaction with the service they receive varies by deprivation, age and ethnicity. Note: The 2020 GP patient survey data were mostly collected before the COVID-19 pandemic, therefore this analysis doesn’t reflect patient experiences or service changes during the pandemic.
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EventuntilWhen things go wrong - doctors in the dock series provides a unique opportunity to hear real patients discuss their experience of medical errors. Well-known witnesses of clinical errors will talk about their first-hand experiences, what happened, how they and their family had to deal with them, and how they have dealt with the aftermath in the most constructive way possible. Gain more experience and insight about the best way to deal with clinical errors as professionals, and from a patient perspective, and convert them into an opportunity for improvement for all involved, even leading to very successful careers. Register
