The UK: your partner for global healthcare solutions – Improving the quality and safety of patient care

Source:  Department of Health

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Date of publication:  March 2016

Publication type:  Brochure

In a nutshell:  In 2014 the Commonwealth Fund named the NHS as the number one health service for safe care amongst the 11 developed nations studied. The NHS is aiming for a future where avoidable harm is prevented, where 100% of patients achieve the shortest, most uneventful hospital admissions, and where everyone achieves the best possible outcome.

This publication outlines some of the initiatives the UK is currently pursuing, and the organisations which are leading the way in standards of safety. The different sections also provide information on the partners who can best help you achieve your goal of safer, better healthcare.

Length of publication:  15 pages

Personal hand gel for improved hand hygiene compliance on the regional anesthesia team

Source:  Journal of Anesthesia 29/6 pp. 899-903

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Date of publication: December 2015

Publication type:  Journal article

In a nutshell:  A hospital in the US examined the effect of personal gel dispensers for staff on surgical hand hygiene compliance amongst an anaesthesia team. Before personal gel dispensers were provided compliance was 34% (23% before patient contact and 43% afterwards). After personal dispensers, compliance was 63% (53% before patient contact and 72% afterwards).

Length of publication:  5 pages

How effective are patient safety initiatives? A retrospective patient record review study of changes to patient safety over time

Source:  BMJ Quality & Safety [Epub ahead of print]

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Date of publication:  July 2015

Publication type:  Journal article

In a nutshell:  This study aimed to assess whether, compared with previous years, hospital care became safer in 2011/2012, expressing itself in a fall in preventable adverse event (AE) rates alongside patient safety initiatives. The main patient safety initiatives in hospital care at a national level between 2004 and 2012 were small as well as large-scale multifaceted programmes. The study showed some improvements in preventable AEs in the areas that were addressed during the comprehensive national safety programme. There are signs that such a programme has a positive impact on patient safety.

Length of Publication:  1 web page

Nursing a safer future: how nurses are using proactive approaches to manage patient safety

Source:  The Health Foundation

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Date of publication:  July 2013

Publication type:  Journal supplement

In a nutshell: The Health Foundation have published a special supplement in association with the Nursing Times to explore the ways that nurses use hands-on methods to manage patient safety. Nurses are doing impressive work to improve the safety of their patients and they are well placed to carry out this work. The supplement displays nurse-led initiatives that demonstrate effective and proactive safety management.

Length of Publication:  1 web page

Promoting patient involvement in safety initiatives

Source: Nursing Management UK.  Volume 18, Issue 1 p16-20

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Date of publication: April 2011

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Patients, and their representatives, have a role to play in their own safety in health care.  This article looks at a number of linked studies which looked at ways patients could promote their own safety in different contexts, places or demographies.

Length of publication: 2 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Acknowledgement: BNI