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Thursday 23 August 2018

WUTH publication: Curriculum mapping for Focused Acute Medicine Ultrasound (FAMUS)

Citation: Acute Medicine. 2018, 17(3), 168
Author: Alber KF, Dachsel M, Gilmore A, Lawrenson P, Matsa R, Smallwood N, Stephens J, Tabiowo E, Walden A
Abstract: Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) in the hands of the non-radiologist has seen a steady growth in popularity amongst emergency, intensive care and acute medical physicians. Increased accessibility to portable, purpose-built ultrasound machines has meant that clinicians often have access to a safe and non-invasive tool to enhance their management of the unwell.

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WUTH publication: Focused Acute Medicine Ultrasound (FAMUS)

Citation: Acute Medicine. 2018, 17(3), 164-7
Author: Alber KF, Dachsel M, Gilmore A, Lawrenson P, Matsa R, Smallwood N, Stephens J, Tabiowo E, Walden A
Abstract: Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) has seen steady growth in its use and applications in aiding clinicians in the management of acutely unwell patients. Focused Acute Medicine Ultrasound (FAMUS) is the standard created specifically for Acute Medicine physicians and is endorsed by the Society for Acute Medicine and recognised by the Acute Internal Medicine (AIM) training committee as a specialist skill. In this document we present a curriculum mapping exercise which utilises a 'knowledge, skills and behaviours' framework and incorporates the GMC's 'Good Medical Practice' (GMP) domains. We believe this will provide a standard for consideration of integrating focused ultrasound in AIM training programmes, with the aim of ultimately incorporating FAMUS as a core skill for all AIM trainees.

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Thursday 9 August 2018

WUTH publication: Advancing quality in sepsis management: a large-scale programme for improving sepsis recognition and management in the North West region of England

Citation: Postgraduate Medical Journal. 2018, 94(1114), 463-468
Author: Nsutebu EF, Ibarz-Pavón AB, Kanwar E, Prospero N, French N, McGrath C
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of a collaborative programme for the early recognition and management of patients admitted with sepsis in the northwest of England.
SETTING: 14 hospitals in the northwest of England.
INTERVENTION: A quality improvement programme (Advancing Quality (AQ) Sepsis) that promoted a sepsis care bundle including time-based recording of early warning scores, documenting systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria and suspected source of infection, taking of blood cultures, measuring serum lactate levels, administration of intravenous antibiotics, administration of oxygen, fluid resuscitation, measurement of fluid balance and senior review.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Inpatient mortality, 30-day readmission rates and duration of hospital ≥10 days.
RESULTS: Data for 7776 patients were included in this study between 1 July 2014 and 29 December 2015. Participation in the AQ Sepsis programme was associated with a reduction in readmissions within 30 days (OR 0.81 (0.69-0.95)) and hospital stays over 10 days (OR 0.69 (0.60-0.78)). However, there was no reduction in mortality. Administration of a second litre of intravenous fluid within 2 hours, oxygen therapy and review by a senior clinician were associated with increased mortality. Starting a fluid balance chart within 4 hours was the only clinical process measure that did not affect mortality. Taking a blood culture sample, administering antibiotic therapy and measuring serum lactate within 3 hours of hospital arrival were all associated with reduced mortality (OR 0.69 (0.59-0.81), OR 0.77 (0.67-0.89) and OR 0.64 (0.54-0.77), respectively) and shorter hospitalisations (OR 0.58 (0.49-0.69), OR0.81 (0.70-0.94) and OR 0.54 (0.45-0.66), respectively). However, none of these measures had an impact on the risk of readmission to hospital within 30 days.
CONCLUSIONS: The AQ Sepsis collaborative in northwest of England improved readmission and length of stay for patients admitted with sepsis but did not affect mortality. Further cost-effectiveness evaluation of the programme is needed.
© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2018. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.
KEYWORDS: infectious diseases

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Patient Risk and Safety


Relevant articles from MA Healthcare journals to support your staff’s education and practice

August 2018

As the NHS aims to become one of the safest healthcare systems in the world, the issue of patient safety is taking on a larger focus in the work of healthcare professionals. So that both NHS staff and patients can be treated in a safe environment and be protected from avoidable risks, it is vital for everyone working within the NHS to minimise patient safety incidents and drive improvements in compliance and quality of care.

We have provided a list of relevant articles from MA Healthcare journals dealing with this area, thereby providing your NHS staff with research, information and tips that will support both their work and the care of their patients

(Access to links via OpenAthens authentication currently only work on the desktop version of the MAG Online Library platform)
African Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health

·         Bugs, babies and birthing: midwifery management of sepsis

Published Online: February 07, 2017

British Journal of Community Nursing:
·         ENFit: a major patient safety breakthrough http://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/10.12968/bjcn.2016.21.Sup7.S7
Published Online: February 10, 2017
·         Implications of case managers' perceptions and attitude on safety of home-delivered care http://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/10.12968/bjcn.2015.20.12.602
Published Online: December 04, 2015

British Journal of Healthcare Assistants

·         Septic shock — and the role the HCA and AP can play

Published Online: February 18, 2014

·         Care Certificate Standard 15: infection prevention and control

Published Online: June 10, 2016

·         Hazards and risk: the support worker's role

Published Online: October 18, 2016

·         Hand hygiene 2017—it's up to you

Published Online: May 11, 2017

·         Falls: reducing risks and improving quality of life

Published Online: October 16, 2017

British Journal of Healthcare Management

·         Maintaining hand hygiene to prevent the transmission of infection

Published Online: May 09, 2017

·         Supporting infection control and patient safety

Published Online: May 16, 2016

·         Essential practice for infection prevention and control: RCN guidance for nursing staff

Published Online: December 09, 2017
·         Patient safety: reducing harm and saving lives http://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/10.12968/bjhc.2014.20.5.220
Published Online: June 24, 2014
·         Ensuring patient safety during the development of ambulatory emergency care http://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/10.12968/bjhc.2014.20.7.324
Published Online: July 10, 2014

British Journal of Midwifery:
·         Better Births: A platform for innovation and transformation http://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/10.12968/bjom.2016.24.5.310 
Published Online: May 02, 2016

·         More rigorous investigating needed to improve maternity safety

Published Online: January 31, 2018

British Journal of Neuroscience Nursing

·         Neutropenic sepsis: assessment, pathophysiology and nursing care

Published Online: April 27, 2015

·         Preconception to postpartum care: the need to maximise the safety of women with epilepsy

Published Online: June 27, 2016

British Journal of Nursing:
·         Patient safety: the next 15 years http://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/10.12968/bjon.2016.25.9.518
Published Online: May 12, 2016
·         Medication governance: preventing errors and promoting patient safety http://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/10.12968/bjon.2017.26.3.159
Published Online: February 10, 2017

·         Ensuring the safe discharge of older patients from hospital

Published Online: July 28, 2016

·         Reducing harm to patients caused by avoidable adverse drug reactions

Published Online: April 23, 2018

·         Guidelines not tramlines: the WHO safe childbirth checklist

Published Online: March 28, 2016

·         Improving the National Reporting and Learning System and responses to it

Published Online: March 08, 2018

·         A collaborative approach to reduce healthcare-associated infections

Published Online: June 09, 2016

·         Does a checklist reduce the number of errors made in nurse-assembled discharge prescriptions?

Published Online: April 28, 2017

·         Patient safety perspectives from other countries: reflecting on reporting

Published Online: April 29, 2016

·         Barriers to implementing the Sepsis Six guidelines in an acute hospital setting

Published Online: May 11, 2018

·         Assessment and management of the septic patient: part 1

Published Online: September 24, 2016

·         Assessment and management of the septic patient: part 2

Published Online: November 24, 2016

·         Children's nursing: patient safety and clinical risk in neonatal care

Published Online: September 24, 2016

·         Written communication: from staff nurse to nurse consultant; Part 7: Incident Reports

Published Online: November 26, 2014

British Journal of Hospital Medicine:
·         Supporting the engagement of doctors in training in quality improvement and patient safety http://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/10.12968/hmed.2015.76.3.166
Published Online: March 11, 2015
·         Improving communication with primary care to ensure patient safety post-hospital discharge http://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/10.12968/hmed.2015.76.1.46
Published Online: January 13, 2015

·         The risk of surgical never events

Published Online: February 13, 2016

·         Understanding safe discharge of patients with dementia from the acute hospital

Published Online: March 10, 2016

·         Improving safety of care for older people

Published Online: February 12, 2018

Journal of Aesthetic Nursing
·         Key pointers on patient safety and prescribing practice http://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/10.12968/joan.2017.6.1.42
Published Online: February 07, 2017

·         Infection control and environmental cleanliness in aesthetic practice

Published Online: June 07, 2016

Journal of Kidney Care

·         Improving patient safety and avoiding incidents in renal units

Published Online: February 18, 2014
·         Improving patient safety and avoiding incidents in renal units http://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/10.12968/jorn.2014.6.1.24
Published Online: February 18, 2014
·         ANSA conference: patient safety in anaemia management http://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/10.12968/jorn.2014.6.2.102
Published Online: March 30, 2014

Journal of Paramedic Practice
·         Patient confidentiality and safety: a classic conundrum http://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/10.12968/jpar.2017.9.5.214
Published Online: May 13, 2017
·         Can multi-disciplinary simulation-based training improve patient safety? http://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/10.12968/jpar.2014.6.2.98
Published Online: March 05, 2014

Journal of Wound Care

·         An assessment of key risk factors for surgical site infection in patients undergoing surgery for spinal metastases

Published Online: September 09, 2016

Nurse Prescribing
·         Patient safety comes first
Published Online: August 13, 2015
·         Effective safety-netting in prescribing practice http://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/10.12968/npre.2014.12.7.349
Published Online: July 08, 2014

·         Prescribing safely: Top 10 tips for non-medical prescribers

Published Online: August 13, 2016

Practice Management:
·         Managing health and safety in practice http://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/10.12968/prma.2016.26.9.12
Published Online: January 17, 2017
·         Legal aspects of patient data-sharing http://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/10.12968/prma.2017.27.7.42
Published Online: July 27, 2017

·         Getting to the point of infection control

Published Online: January 16, 2017

Nursing and Residential Care:
·         Preserving safety within the care home environment http://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/10.12968/nrec.2017.19.10.594
Published Online: September 18, 2017
·         The growing importance of health and safety for care homes http://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/10.12968/nrec.2015.17.6.352
Published Online: May 19, 2015

·         Reporting medication errors: residents with diabetes

Published Online: October 16, 2014

·         Infection prevention and control: steps to take in your home 

Published Online: August 17, 2016

·         Making a difference: optimising medication management

Published Online: July 18, 2016

Monday 6 August 2018

WUTH publication: A prospective, mixed-methods, before and after study to identify the evidence base for the core components of an effective Paediatric Early Warning System and the development of an implementation package containing those core recommendations for use in the UK: Paediatric early warning system - utilisation and mortality avoidance- the PUMA study protocol

Citation: BMJ pediatrics. 2018, 18(1), 244
Author: Thomas-Jones E, Lloyd A, Roland D, Sefton G, Tume L, Hood K, Huang C, Edwards D, Oliver A, Skone R, Lacy D, Sinha I, Preston J, Mason B, Jacob N, Trubey R, Strange H, Moriarty Y, Grant A, Allen D, Powell C
Abstract: BACKGROUND: In hospital, staff need to routinely monitor patients to identify those who are seriously ill, so that they receive timely treatment to improve their condition. A Paediatric Early Warning System is a multi-faceted socio-technical system to detect deterioration in children, which may or may not include a track and trigger tool. It functions to monitor, detect and prompt an urgent response to signs of deterioration, with the aim of preventing morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study is to develop an evidence-based improvement programme to optimise the effectiveness of Paediatric Early Warning Systems in different inpatient contexts, and to evaluate the feasibility and potential effectiveness of the programme in predicting deterioration and triggering timely interventions.
METHODS: This study will be conducted in two district and two specialist children's hospitals. It deploys an Interrupted Time Series (ITS) design in conjunction with ethnographic cases studies with embedded process evaluation. Informed by Translational Mobilisation Theory and Normalisation Process Theory, the study is underpinned by a functions based approach to improvement. Workstream (1) will develop an evidence-based improvement programme to optimise Paediatric Early Warning System based on systematic reviews. Workstream (2) consists of observation and recording outcomes in current practice in the four sites, implementation of the improvement programme and concurrent process evaluation, and evaluation of the impact of the programme. Outcomes will be mortality and critical events, unplanned admission to Paediatric Intensive Care (PICU) or Paediatric High Dependency Unit (PHDU), cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, medical emergencies requiring immediate assistance, reviews by PICU staff, and critical deterioration, with qualitative evidence of the impact of the intervention on Paediatric Early Warning System and learning from the implementation process.
DISCUSSION: This paper presents the background, rationale and design for this mixed methods study. This will be the most comprehensive study of Paediatric Early Warning Systems and the first to deploy a functions-based approach to improvement in the UK with the aim to improve paediatric patient safety and reduce mortality. Our findings will inform recommendations about the safety processes for every hospital treating paediatric in-patients across the NHS.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: Sponsor: Cardiff University, 30-36 Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 0DE Sponsor ref.: SPON1362-14. Funder: National Institute for Health Research, Health Services & Delivery Research Programme (NIHR HS&DR) Funder reference: 12/178/17. Research Ethics Committee reference: 15/SW/0084 [13/04/2015]. PROSPERO reference: CRD42015015326 [23/01/2015].
ISRCTN: 94228292 https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN94228292 [date of application 13/05/2015; date of registration: 18/08/2015]. Prospective registration prior to data collection and participant consent commencing in September 2014.
KEYWORDS: And quality improvement; Mortality; Paediatric-early warning systems; Patient safety; Track-and-trigger tools

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