The NHS in England is to roll out dedicated support for members of staff who raise the alarm on unsafe practice. Following successful pilots, the NHS will soon offer practical support to any doctor, nurse, or other worker across the country who needs additional support to build their career after raising concerns at work, as […]
A resource Patient Safety Alert has been issued to help organisations ensure any injuries to an accidentally dropped baby are detected and treated as quickly as possible. Patient Safety Alert – Assessment and management of babies who are accidentally dropped in hospital The risks of accidentally dropping a baby are well known, particularly when a parent […]
A directive alert has been jointly issued with the British Orthopaedic Association on the risk of harm from the wrong selection of plates used for fixation of fractures. Patient Safety Alert: Wrong selection of orthopaedic fracture fixation plates A variety of fracture fixation plates are used in orthopaedic surgery including dynamic compression plates (DC plates) […]
Leading figures in health are celebrating ten years of a checklist for surgical teams which has saved countless lives and improved outcomes for patients in England and around the world. The Surgical Safety Checklist is a simple tool designed to improve communication and teamwork by bringing together the surgeons, anaesthesia providers and nurses involved in […]
A warning alert has been issued on the risk of harm from inappropriate placement of pulse oximeter probes. Patient Safety Alert – Risk of harm from inappropriate placement of pulse oximeter probes Measurement of oxygen saturation, using a pulse oximeter probe, is routinely undertaken as part of patients’ vital signs during diagnosis and ongoing monitoring. Oximeter probes […]
Proposals have been revealed today setting out how the NHS will ensure it is the safest healthcare system in the world. The commitment includes a proposal for some of the most important types of avoidable harm to patients to be halved over the next five years in areas such as medication errors and Never Events, […]
A resource Patient Safety Alert has been issued to help organisations ensure a safer system for the temporary identification of unidentified or unknown patients. Patient Safety Alert – Safer temporary identification criteria for unknown or unidentified patients Emergency departments often care for patients unable or unwilling to give their identity including people who are unconscious or […]
A resource Patient Safety Alert has been issued to support the management of life threatening bleeds from arteriovenous fistulae and grafts. Patient Safety Alert – Life threatening bleeds from arteriovenous fistulae and grafts Haemodialysis removes the waste products and extra fluid that build up in the blood of those whose kidneys no longer function properly and relies […]
New guidance for the NHS will help doctors, nurses and other staff use instant messaging safely to co-ordinate patients’ care during emergencies. Medics have turned to communication channels such as Whatsapp to deal with emergency situations like the Croydon tram crash, Grenfell Tower fire and terrorist attacks in London Bridge and Manchester Arena. The new […]
A resource Patient Safety Alert has been issued to support safe and timely management of hyperkalaemia (high level of potassium in the blood). Patient Safety Alert: Resources to support safe and timely management of hyperkalaemia The way the body responds to hyperkalaemia – a higher than normal level of potassium in the blood – is […]