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Showing results for tags 'Systematic review'.
Found 138 results
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Content ArticleNudges are subtle changes to the way options are presented to guide choice. These have been employed in healthcare systems to improve clinical decisions. This systematic review analyses six randomised controlled trials investigating overuse of opiods, antibiotics, high-risk medicines for older patients and imaging during palliative radiotherapy, in order to examine the effect of clinician-directed default nudges on overuse of tests or treatments. It was found that clinician-directed default nudges had inconsistent effects on overuse of healthcare, suggesting that high quality trials are required to determine whether default nudges reduce overuse or improve patient outcomes.
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Content ArticleEmpowerment in nursing is increasingly recognised as an important determinant of patient safety culture as the primary outcome, with patient safety activities reported as secondary outcomes where applicable. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesise the evidence on the association between nursing empowerment and patient safety culture and to examine whether different types of empowerment were associated with variation in effect estimates. Overall, nursing empowerment was associated with better patient safety culture, but the magnitude and consistency of this association varied across empowerment types and study contexts.
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Content ArticleProviding performance feedback to staff allows employees to learn and grown in their jobs and to deliver better and higher quality work. For this review, Heine et al. went through 173 studies on performance feedback. They found that there are many different labels and contrasting definitions given to “feedback” and a lack of research specifying feedback valence, which limits our understanding and theory building. Their research indicates that positive feedback consistently enhances performance, whereas negative feedback requires specific moderating variables or a high-quality supervisor–subordinate relationship to be effective. They also found that women consistently receive lower performance ratings than men, especially from male supervisors in traditionally male fields. The authors propose 'Performance Feedback Valence Theory': the supervisor-subordinate relationship is the foundation that makes negative feedback work. Fostering these relationships may be the most critical step organisations can take in ensuring feedback interventions truly enhance employees performance.
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Content ArticleStories of Safety is a podcast that delves into the stories, science, and policy that have shaped health care safety. Hosted by patient safety researcher Professor Jane O’Hara, and funded and delivered by National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Yorkshire &; Humber Patient Safety Research Collaboration (PSRC), this series brings together leading voices from the UK and beyond to explore a deceptively simple yet crucial question: How safe are we, and how can we improve? In this episode we hear from Professor Pascale Carayon, Professor Emerita at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA, and a global leader in applying human factors and systems engineering to healthcare and patient safety. Professor Carayon reflects on the evolving role of human factors engineering, from her early development of the SEIPS (Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety) model to its widespread influence on healthcare system design and quality improvement. They explore how engineering, human factors/ergonomics, and organisational design can be harnessed to prevent harm, redesign complex care systems, and foster safer, more resilient healthcare environments.
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Content ArticleConcerns have emerged about the impact of paracetamol use in pregnancy on child neurodevelopment, particularly in relation to autism spectrum disorder. This study published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, & Women’s Health journal aimed to synthesise available evidence to investigate associations between prenatal paracetamol exposure and autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and intellectual disability. The current evidence does not indicate a clinically important increase in the likelihood of autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, or intellectual disability in children of pregnant individuals who use paracetamol as directed, supporting existing recommendations on its safety.
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Content ArticleA review of the quality of care provided to adults in hospital identified as having hyponatraemia (low blood sodium levels) or hypernatraemia (high blood sodium levels). from the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (NCEPOD).
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Content Article
NCEPOD: ‘Risking Life and Limb’ (13 November 2025)
Patient_Safety_Learning posted an article in Quality Improvement
A review of the quality of care provided to adults with acute limb ischaemia (ALI) published by the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death. -
Content ArticleAn American Hospital Association report found patient safety in hospitals and health systems across the nation continues to improve. The report, which uses data analysed by Vizient, examined key safety and quality metrics from the fourth quarter of 2019 to the second quarter of 2025. It found that despite caring for a sicker patient population, hospitals’ focus on safety led to improved patient outcomes and reduced infections. The report also found: • Hospitalised patients in the second quarter of 2025 were on average nearly 30% more likely to survive than expected given the severity of their illnesses compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. • Hospitals’ efforts to improve safety led to more than 300,000 Americans hospitalised from April 2024 through March 2025 surviving episodes of care they would not have in 2019. • Hospitals cared for more patients in the second quarter of 2025 compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, with increases in volume by 4% and case mix index by 5% during this period. Patients in 2025 also had more complex and severe conditions. • Hospitals’ central line-associated bloodstream infections and catheter-associated urinary tract infections in the second quarter of 2025 were at lower rates than the fourth quarter of 2019. • Key screenings for breast and colorectal cancer increased 95% from the fourth quarter of 2019 to the second quarter of 2025. Read the report via the link below.
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Content ArticleImproving productivity is integral to creating a high-performing and sustainable health service. Amid tight public finances and stalled progress in improving the nation’s health, the NHS in England needs to seize opportunities over the next decade to deliver more and better care to patients for every pound spent. To assist, the Health Foundation has launched the NHS Productivity Commission to develop practical, evidence-based and ambitious solutions to improve productivity. This report lays the groundwork, setting out: our understanding of NHS system productivity trends in key measures over the past two decades and diagnosing the reasons for the NHS’s recent stalling productivity our four-driver framework, which will guide future recommendations how you can get involved via our call for evidence.
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Content ArticleParacetamol (acetaminophen) is one of the most commonly used drugs in pregnancy worldwide. It is the recommended treatment for pain relief and fever in pregnancy. In September 2025, the US president advised against using Tylenol (acetaminophen) during pregnancy, citing risks of autism in children exposed to the drug in utero. The announcement caused considerable concern among pregnant women and mothers of children with autism. Worldwide, regulatory health agencies and expert bodies, such as the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, the European Medicines Agency, and the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration, responded with reassurance about the safety of paracetamol use during pregnancy. This systematic review aimed to assess the quality, biases, and validity of evidence on maternal paracetamol (acetaminophen) use during pregnancy and the risk of autism spectrum disorder (referred to as autism) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in offspring. It concluded that there is no existing evidence does not clearly link maternal paracetamol use during pregnancy with autism or ADHD in offspring.
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Content ArticleNHS England’s Medium-Term Planning Framework emphasises collaboration, innovation, and sustainability to meet evolving population needs and financial pressures. It builds on recent reforms and lessons learned from the pandemic, aiming to deliver better outcomes for patients, staff, and communities. CF Experts in Health have developed a visual overview of NHSE NHS England’s Medium-Term Planning Framework: Delivering Change Together (2026/27 to 2028/29). Download the visual on their website via the link at the bottom of this page.
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Content ArticleNurses in intensive care units often work long shifts, leading to significant physical and mental strain. This strain can negatively impact their well-being and the quality of care they provide to patients. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the associations between nurses’ working hours in intensive care units and outcomes related to risk identification, nurse well-being, patient safety, and institutional performance. The review highlights the importance of addressing the risks associated with long working hours in intensive care units. The primary risks identified include nurse-focused issues such as the development of sleep disturbances and increased burnout, as well as patient-focused risks like medication errors. These risks, along with their frequency and impact, underscore the need for improved scheduling and working conditions to ensure patient safety and nurse well-being.
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Content ArticleThis paper aims to summarise all available published research in English about FRAM. A PRISMA approach has been followed to review more than 1700 documents on the FRAM. The analysis presents descriptive and interpretative results on the usage of the FRAM. The FRAM’s strengths and limitations and potential future research are presented. The FRAM is not a one-size-fits-all modelling solution.
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Content ArticleElectronic health record (EHR) nudges are a common way to subtly change clinician behaviour (e.g., prompt for immunisations). This review summarizes the association between EHR nudges and health outcomes in primary care. Results show nudges improve specific aspects of healthcare quality, but most studies reported only process measures—whether the nudge was accepted— not the impact on patient safety.
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Content ArticleThis study aimed to systematically evaluate interventions and effects that promote involvement in medication safety among older people with chronic diseases and to provide new ideas and references for developing standardised and effective intervention strategies to improve patient involvement in medication safety.
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Content ArticleAt several points during a hospital stay, a patient may receive a medication review with a pharmacist to reduce the risk of medication errors. This review characterises themes and components of pharmacist-led medication reviews associated with positive patient outcomes. Patient involvement in goal setting was identified as a successful component that would benefit from additional research.
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EventuntilThe Maternity and Newborn Safety Investigations (MNSI) programme is part of a national strategy to improve maternity safety across the NHS in England. MNSI has completed over 3500 independent safety investigations, using system focused methodology, into maternity events, including direct and indirect maternal deaths in pregnancy and up to 6 weeks postpartum. In this webinar we will explore MNSI's findings following a systematic literature review analysing the research regarding cord management during neonatal transition and resuscitation. Register for the webinar
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Content ArticlePrivate equity takeovers of health services worldwide are associated with worse quality of care and higher costs, according to this study from Borsa et al. In the past decade, private equity firms have increasingly invested in, acquired and consolidated healthcare facilities. Globally, healthcare buyouts have exceeded £157bn since 2021 alone. Despite much speculation, evidence about the impact of this rapidly growing global trend has been lacking. Now a systematic review of private equity healthcare service takeovers across eight countries including the US, UK, Sweden and the Netherlands provides it. Private equity (PE) ownership of healthcare services including hospitals and nursing homes is linked to a harmful effect on cost and quality of care, suggests the review published in the BMJ. The authors of the review, which was led by the University of Chicago, said: “The most unequivocal evidence points to PE being associated with an increase in healthcare costs. Evidence across studies also suggests mixed impacts of PE ownership on healthcare quality, with greater evidence that PE ownership might degrade quality in some capacity rather than improve it.”
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Content ArticleThere are reports of increasing incidence of paediatric diabetes since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study by D'Souza et al. compares the incidence rates of paediatric diabetes during and before the COVID-19 pandemic. The study found that incidence rates of type 1 diabetes and diabetic ketoacidosis at diabetes onset in children and adolescents were higher after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic than before the pandemic. Increased resources and support may be needed for the growing number of children and adolescents with diabetes. Future studies are needed to assess whether this trend persists and may help elucidate possible underlying mechanisms to explain temporal changes.
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Content ArticlePatient safety incidents, including medical errors and adverse events, frequently occur in intensive care units, leading to a significant psychological burden on healthcare professionals. This burden results in second victim syndrome, which impacts the psychological and psychosomatic wellbeing of these staff members. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to examine the occurrence of second victim syndrome among intensive care unit healthcare workers, including the types, prevalence, risk factors and recovery time associated with the condition.
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Content ArticleThis is the protocol for a Campbell systematic review. The main aim of this systematic review was to identify whether hospital leadership styles predict patient safety as measured through several indicators over time. The second aim was to assess the extent to which the prediction of hospital leadership styles on patient safety indicators varies as a function of the leader's hierarchy level in the organisation.
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Content ArticleThe adoption of virtual consultations, catalysed by the COVID-19 pandemic, has transformed the delivery of primary care services. Owing to their rapid global proliferation, there is a need to comprehensively evaluate the impact of virtual consultations on all aspects of care quality. This study aims to evaluate the impact of virtual consultations on the quality of primary care. It found that virtual consultations may be as effective as face-to-face care and have a potentially positive impact on the efficiency and timeliness of care; however, there is a considerable lack of evidence on the impacts on patient safety, equity, and patient-centeredness, highlighting areas where future research efforts should be devoted. Capitalising on real-world data, as well as clinical trials, is crucial to ensure that the use of virtual consultations is tailored according to patient needs and is inclusive of the intended end users. Data collection methods that are bespoke to the primary care context and account for patient characteristics are necessary to generate a stronger evidence base to inform future virtual care policies.
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Content ArticlePublic and patient expectations of treatment influence health behaviours and decision-making. This study aimed to understand how the media has portrayed the therapeutic use of ketamine in psychiatry. It found that ketamine treatment was portrayed in an extremely positive light, with significant contributions of positive testimony from key opinion leaders (e.g. clinicians). Positive research results and ketamine's rapid antidepressant effec were frequently emphasised, with little reference to longer-term safety and efficacy. The study concluded that information pertinent to patient help-seeking and treatment expectations is being communicated through the media and supported by key opinion leaders, although some quotes go well beyond the evidence base. Clinicians should be aware of this and may need to address their patients’ beliefs directly.
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Content ArticleThe implementation and continuous improvement of patient safety learning systems (PSLS) is a principal strategy for mitigating preventable harm to patients. Although substantial efforts have sought to improve these systems, there is a need to more comprehensively understand critical success factors. This study aims to summarise the barriers and facilitators perceived by hospital staff and physicians to influence the reporting, analysis, learning and feedback within PSLS in hospitals.
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Content ArticleIn this study, Tsampasian et al. looked at what the risk factors were for developing post−COVID-19 condition (also known as Long Covid). The systematic review and meta-analysis of 41 studies, including 860 783 patients, found that female sex, older age, higher body mass index, smoking, preexisting comorbidities, and previous hospitalisation or ICU admission were risk factors significantly associated with developing Long Covid, and that SARS-CoV-2 vaccination with two doses was associated with lower risk of Long Covid. The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis provide a profile of the characteristics associated with increased risk of developing Long Covid and suggest that vaccination may be protective against Long Covid.
