15 results on '"Benchmarking organization & administration"'
Search Results
2. Assessing NHS trusts' compliance with child health policy standards.
- Author
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Coles L, Glasper A, Battrick C, and Brown S
- Subjects
- Child, Clinical Audit, Documentation, England, Health Policy, Humans, Nurse Administrators, Nursing Evaluation Research, Quality Indicators, Health Care organization & administration, Benchmarking organization & administration, Child Health Services organization & administration, Guideline Adherence organization & administration, Pediatric Nursing organization & administration, Practice Guidelines as Topic, State Medicine organization & administration
- Abstract
An audit tool to undertake a baseline assessment of NHS trust compliance with contemporary healthcare polices was designed collaboratively by senior children's nurses across one English strategic health authority (SHA). Children's units in hospitals across the SHA were benchmarked against the audit tool standards throughout 2009. The aim was to identify good and less optimum compliance with best practice policy-driven benchmarks of care, using a 1-5 scale. Each NHS trust within the SHA was contacted to make arrangements with members of the interprofessional team to complete the baseline benchmarking exercise. The audit was conducted over 1 or 2 days. The majority of the evidence sourced comprised documented evidence and verbal affirmation of the individual perceptions of key informants with regard to how the range of clinical areas scored against the best practice benchmarks. Scores of policy compliance in some trusts audited ranged from 1 (non-compliant) to 5 (full compliance). The results demonstrate that many trusts are making good efforts to ensure full compliance to policy guidelines and mandates. However, there are some aspects of policy standards that trusts have yet to fully embrace. This initial benchmarking exercise on behalf of an English SHA has revealed many areas of outstanding and good practice which have the potential to be shared.
- Published
- 2010
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
3. Clostridium difficile infection: A critical analysis of the guidance.
- Author
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Aziz AM
- Subjects
- Abbreviations as Topic, Algorithms, Benchmarking organization & administration, Clinical Governance, Clostridium Infections diagnosis, Clostridium Infections epidemiology, Cross Infection diagnosis, Cross Infection epidemiology, Feces, Health Planning Guidelines, Humans, Nursing Assessment, Safety Management, State Medicine organization & administration, United Kingdom, Clostridioides difficile, Clostridium Infections prevention & control, Cross Infection prevention & control, Infection Control organization & administration, Practice Guidelines as Topic
- Abstract
A recent report by the Department of Health, Clostridium Difficile Infection: How to deal with the problem - a board to ward approach, is a revised set of guidelines based on best practice and key recommendations for the NHS to ensure the control of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). It takes into account a national framework for clinical governance which did not previously exist, a framework that gives significant weight to infection control as a matter of patient safety, and highlights that all clinicians have a personal responsibility for infection prevention and control. It puts the onus on Trust management and PCTs to ensure that measures are in place to prevent and manage CDI according to best evidence. However, the report fails to explain how these measures will have an impact on finance and resources on an already burdened system. The author explains how much of the report is comparable with the one published in 1994, and highlights many of its limitations within the busy hospital setting. Reducing CDI is achievable, as many hospitals are showing large reductions in their CDI rates. Healthcare workers must be applauded for their success in reducing CDI, but there is more to be done.
- Published
- 2009
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
4. Providing best practice in manual blood pressure measurement.
- Author
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Alexis O
- Subjects
- Aged, Bias, Blood Pressure Determination instrumentation, Blood Pressure Determination methods, Child, Clinical Competence, Equipment Design, Female, Humans, Hypertension diagnosis, Hypertension etiology, Hypertension physiopathology, Hypotension diagnosis, Hypotension etiology, Hypotension physiopathology, Nurse's Role, Nursing Assessment, Posture, Practice Guidelines as Topic, Pregnancy, Reproducibility of Results, Sphygmomanometers standards, Sphygmomanometers supply & distribution, Benchmarking organization & administration, Blood Pressure Determination nursing, Blood Pressure Determination standards
- Abstract
This article discusses the practical skills and underpinning knowledge needed when manually taking a patients blood pressure. The author defines blood pressure and the terms systolic and diastolic and explores the purpose of manual measurement. The article also goes on to examine what is meant by normal blood pressure, hypertension and hypotension, as well as factors that may influence blood pressure measurement. There is a brief outline of the equipment used for manually measuring blood pressure, followed by some factors that may affect the accuracy of the final reading. The author also highlights the different positions used for taking blood pressure and the arguments surrounding their respective merits. Finally, the article includes a practical step-by-step guide to manual blood pressure measurement.
- Published
- 2009
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
5. Improving patient safety using clinical needs assessments in IV therapy.
- Author
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Scroggs J
- Subjects
- Cost Savings, Equipment Safety, Guideline Adherence, Humans, Infusion Pumps standards, Infusions, Intravenous adverse effects, Infusions, Intravenous instrumentation, Medication Errors nursing, Medication Errors prevention & control, Nursing Evaluation Research, Nursing Methodology Research, Nursing Staff, Hospital psychology, Practice Guidelines as Topic, Risk Reduction Behavior, Surveys and Questionnaires, Attitude of Health Personnel, Benchmarking organization & administration, Infusions, Intravenous nursing, Needs Assessment organization & administration, Safety Management organization & administration, Total Quality Management organization & administration
- Abstract
A clinical needs assessment (CNA) consulting programme was initiated with the NHS Healthcare Purchasing Consortium to improve safety and reduce risk in intravenous (IV) therapy through standardization, best practice guideline adherence and ensuring adequate training. The results of CNAs conducted at two acute NHS Trusts (A and B) are summarized. Fifteen-minute 'pump needs assessment' and 'clinical practice review' interviews were conducted with junior and senior staff members, and recommendations were made to a multidisciplinary Trust-steering committee. Post-assessment recommendations included: standardizing to one pump type with activated medication error reduction software, purchasing optimal numbers of IV pumps, implementing best practice guidelines and protocols to minimize unnecessary IV set tear-down (removing and replacing IV set), the use of standardized accessories and ensuring adequate training. Both assessments showed that streamlining, best practice adherence and training could result in pronounced cost savings and improve patient safety. Importantly, the cost savings could facilitate implementation of CNA recommendations. The Trusts have since prioritized standardizing IV pumps and accessories and future implementation of medication error software. The CNA is a valuable tool for Trusts that positively impacts on patient safety.
- Published
- 2008
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
6. Intravenous therapy: a guide to good practice.
- Author
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Scales K
- Subjects
- Bandages, Catheterization, Central Venous adverse effects, Catheterization, Central Venous standards, Catheterization, Peripheral adverse effects, Catheterization, Peripheral standards, Catheters, Indwelling adverse effects, Equipment Design, Equipment Failure, Equipment Safety, Humans, Infection Control methods, Infusions, Intravenous adverse effects, Infusions, Intravenous standards, Nurse's Role, Patient Selection, Skin Care methods, Skin Care nursing, Benchmarking organization & administration, Catheterization, Central Venous nursing, Catheterization, Peripheral nursing, Infusions, Intravenous nursing
- Abstract
This article provides an overview of the principles of good practice that underpin intravenous (IV) therapy. The indications for choosing the IV route and selecting an appropriate vascular access device (VAD) are explained. Common insertion sites for VAD placement and the care and management of VADs are reviewed. Infection control aspects of IV therapy are be highlighted, including the management of IV equipment and the importance of the nurse's role in the prevention of infection associated with IV therapy. Common complications of IV therapy are explained and strategies suggested for their prevention. The article addresses the issues associated with general IV therapy, it does not address specialist subjects such as parenteral nutrition, chemotherapy or blood transfusion.
- Published
- 2008
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
7. Back to basics in IV therapy: an unfortunate necessity.
- Author
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Dougherty L
- Subjects
- Equipment Failure, Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials etiology, Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials prevention & control, Humans, Infection Control, Benchmarking organization & administration, Infusions, Intravenous adverse effects, Infusions, Intravenous nursing
- Published
- 2008
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
8. Patients' experiences of privacy and dignity. Part 1: a literature review.
- Author
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Whitehead J and Wheeler H
- Subjects
- Benchmarking organization & administration, Health Policy, Humans, Inpatients legislation & jurisprudence, Nursing Methodology Research, Patient Advocacy legislation & jurisprudence, Privacy legislation & jurisprudence, Qualitative Research, Quality of Health Care organization & administration, Research Design, State Medicine organization & administration, United Kingdom, Attitude to Health, Inpatients psychology, Patient Advocacy psychology, Patient Rights legislation & jurisprudence, Patient Rights standards, Patient-Centered Care organization & administration, Privacy psychology
- Abstract
This article reviews the literature on patients' privacy and dignity and concludes that interest in the topic goes back to psychiatric patients in the 1960s, with the 1990s seeing a shift to all hospitals. A number of databases were used to obtain information for the literature review. Findings revealed United Kingdom (UK) government policies designed to raise the profile of patients' privacy and dignity. UK research on patients' privacy/dignity is limited, although there is universal interest. While a variety of methodologies have been used in previous research, and there is consistency in findings, more research is indicated. Previous research spanned topics such as elderly patients, medical and surgical patients, palliative care, rehabilitative settings and child-bearing women. A conceptual framework and definitions of privacy and dignity were examined. Although healthcare professionals and patients attach importance to patients' privacy, there is insufficient understanding of the problem. Limitations of previous research have been discussed.
- Published
- 2008
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
9. The Sepsis Six: helping patients to survive sepsis.
- Author
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Robson WP and Daniel R
- Subjects
- Algorithms, Decision Trees, Education, Nursing, Continuing organization & administration, Guideline Adherence, Humans, Mass Screening organization & administration, Nursing Assessment organization & administration, Nursing Audit, Nursing Staff, Hospital education, Nursing Staff, Hospital organization & administration, Practice Guidelines as Topic, Sepsis epidemiology, Survival Rate, Time Factors, United Kingdom epidemiology, Benchmarking organization & administration, Critical Care organization & administration, Nurse's Role, Sepsis diagnosis, Sepsis therapy
- Abstract
Sepsis kills more people than lung cancer, and more people than bowel and breast cancer put together. The costs to the NHS are significant; it is estimated that in Europe, patients with severe sepsis cost healthcare funders around 7.6 billion euros per year (Daniels et al, 2007). Costs in the United States are estimated at $16 billion annually (Angus et al, 2001), and in the United Kingdom up to 46% of intensive care unit (ICU) bed days are used by patients with severe sepsis (Padkin et al, 2003), with each ICU bed costing around pounds sterling1700 per day. In 2002 an international campaign was launched: the Surviving Sepsis Campaign. The main aim of this campaign is to reduce mortality from sepsis by 25% by 2009. A lot of the early work has concentrated on improving sepsis care in intensive care units, but many patients on general wards develop sepsis, and the need to educate nurses throughout all areas of the hospital has been recognized. In September 2007 a new part of the campaign was launched called Survive Sepsis, which aims to deliver sepsis education to ward nurses and junior doctors. This article discusses how to recognize severe sepsis and explains how nurses can dramatically improve a patient's chance of survival by ensuring that six simple things (Sepsis Six) are done in the first hour.
- Published
- 2008
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
10. Developing the role of a ward housekeeper within a multidisciplinary team.
- Author
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Richmond J
- Subjects
- Benchmarking organization & administration, Clinical Competence, Cooperative Behavior, Food Service, Hospital organization & administration, Health Facility Environment, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Health Planning, Humans, Inservice Training organization & administration, Organizational Innovation, Patient-Centered Care organization & administration, Practice Guidelines as Topic, State Medicine organization & administration, United Kingdom, Hospital Units organization & administration, Housekeeping, Hospital organization & administration, Patient Care Team organization & administration, Professional Role, Total Quality Management organization & administration
- Abstract
The implementation of a housekeeper induction competency programme demonstrates the innovative way that the clinical standards facilitator has led the development of the housekeeping service at one NHS Trust. This service has been developed to ensure that there is sufficient training, support and opportunity to share best practice for the housekeepers. A Trust-wide approach using the multidisciplinary team (including dieticians, catering and facilities managers) has contributed to the raising of standards in meeting the patients' nutritional needs, as well as improving the ward environment. NHS Estates guidance (DH, 2001b) relating to the housekeeping service and the Essence of Care benchmarks for nutrition (DH, 2001a) were used to provide this framework for continuous quality improvement.
- Published
- 2007
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
11. How successful is the dual diagnosis good practice guide?
- Author
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Laker C
- Subjects
- Benchmarking ethics, Community Participation, Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry) ethics, Evidence-Based Medicine ethics, Health Care Reform organization & administration, Health Services Accessibility organization & administration, Humans, Mental Disorders complications, Mental Disorders diagnosis, Mental Disorders therapy, State Medicine organization & administration, Substance-Related Disorders complications, Substance-Related Disorders diagnosis, Substance-Related Disorders therapy, Total Quality Management organization & administration, United Kingdom, Benchmarking organization & administration, Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry) standards, Evidence-Based Medicine organization & administration, Mental Health Services organization & administration, Practice Guidelines as Topic standards
- Abstract
Evidence from the US shows that integrated treatment programmes for dually diagnosed patients are more successful than parallel treatment programmes. In the UK the Dual Diagnosis Good Practice Guide (DDGPG, 2002a), advocates a move towards an integrated system of care delivery. However, the paucity of evidence in the UK and the entrenched nature of the established mental health and addictions services means that current policy is derived from limited information and is struggling to address the process of change. By definition, dual diagnosis is a complex interaction between a range of mental health and substance misuse problems leading to difficulties in allocating appropriate skill mixes to teams. Ethical and legal issues in the mental health services cause conflict with the treatment concepts for substance misuse. The advent of the DDGPG is positive, but there is a clear need for further work in this area.
- Published
- 2006
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
12. Controlling the risk of MRSA infection: screening and isolating patients.
- Author
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Bissett L
- Subjects
- Benchmarking organization & administration, Cross Infection diagnosis, Cross Infection transmission, Health Policy, Health Services Needs and Demand, Humans, Patient Admission, Patient Selection, Practice Guidelines as Topic, Risk Assessment, Risk Factors, Staphylococcal Infections diagnosis, Staphylococcal Infections transmission, United Kingdom epidemiology, Cross Infection prevention & control, Infection Control organization & administration, Mass Screening organization & administration, Methicillin Resistance, Patient Isolation organization & administration, Staphylococcal Infections prevention & control, Staphylococcus aureus
- Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) continues to be a major cause for concern to health boards and trusts through the UK and the rest of the world. A review of literature sourced via Cinahl, Medline and Pubmed examines the discussions for and against screening patients for MRSA and isolating MRSA-positive patients as a means of managing MRSA within the hospital setting. The research evidence available on the ability of MRSA strains to spread within the healthcare setting and how this influences the opposing arguments is explored. Other factors considered when examining the arguments for and against screening and isolation are: the implications both in cost and resources; the effect of MRSA infection on patient morbidity and mortality; and the need for individual risk assessment of MRSA colonized or infected patients to prevent the transmission of MRSA isolates. The arguments raised lead to the conclusion that screening and isolation should be universal to decelerate the rate of transmission of MRSA.
- Published
- 2005
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
13. Nurses must aim to become more clinically effective.
- Author
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Castledine G
- Subjects
- Benchmarking organization & administration, Evidence-Based Medicine, Humans, Organizational Innovation, Practice Guidelines as Topic, United Kingdom, Clinical Competence standards, Nursing Care organization & administration
- Published
- 2004
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
14. Sharing best practice: developing a Web-based database.
- Author
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Gerrish K, Entwistle B, Parmakis G, Morgan L, Taylor C, Debbage S, Warnock C, Gerrish P, and Szasz S
- Subjects
- Computer Communication Networks organization & administration, Computer User Training, Forecasting, Humans, Nursing Audit, Nursing Research, Nursing Staff education, Patient Care Team organization & administration, Professional Staff Committees organization & administration, State Medicine, United Kingdom, Benchmarking organization & administration, Databases, Factual, Information Dissemination methods, Internet organization & administration
- Abstract
This article reports on the development of a web-based interactive database that was designed to facilitate the dissemination of practice development, research and audit projects across a large NHS trust. A multidisciplinary team worked collaboratively to design the database in order to ensure that it incorporated features which made it easy for the end user. Concise structured information on each project was recorded and search facilities incorporated to facilitate access to information. Hyperlinks to other web pages on the Internet and the Trust intranet were created and full reports/publications of projects were included for those who wanted more information. The subsequent implementation across the organization involved promoting the database, helping practitioners develop skills to access information, setting up quality review procedures for projects and evaluating its use. The development of the database has highlighted that time, the availability of computers in clinical areas and skills development are important considerations when taking forward information technology (IT) initiatives.
- Published
- 2004
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
15. Best practice guidelines.
- Author
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Wilson J
- Subjects
- Decision Making, Organizational, Evidence-Based Medicine, Humans, Quality Assurance, Health Care organization & administration, State Medicine standards, United Kingdom, Benchmarking organization & administration, Critical Pathways organization & administration, Practice Guidelines as Topic
- Abstract
Best practice guidelines and multidisciplinary pathways of care are becoming an established and essential feature of clinical practice. They can be seen in a wide variety of clinical settings ranging right across the primary, secondary and tertiary health and social care spectrums. The 1997 White Paper places strong emphasis on quality and consistency of care delivery and gives assurances of performance measurements, integrated care (Wilson, 1996) and clinical governance. It suggests making healthcare delivery against national standards a local responsibility and quality of care the driving force for decision making at every level of the service to ensure excellence for patients no matter where the care is provided. A number of controversial issues surround the use of guidelines. Some argue that they are a fetter on clinical discretion, clinical freedom and can lead to the practice of 'cookbook medicine'. Others maintain that they are an essential aid to providing safe and appropriate medical and nursing care.
- Published
- 1999
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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