SAFER CARE PROJECT
the patient’s record and see what’s going on and this is a huge benefit in getting a rapid decision and ensuring rapid action for the patient,” said Gerry Bolger. He added that when the patient’s score triggers an ‘amber warning’, clinical staff must take action. “We should be stopping patients from reaching the ‘red’ stage,” he asserted.
Feedback
Feedback has shown that the technology has proven popular with staff but patients also commented that they felt safer. Clinical staff are using the technology to identify patients, by scanning their wristband, which gives an added security and, as observations are completed in less time, staff are spending more time at the bedside performing other care activities, which has increased patient satisfaction. Gerry Bolger attributes the success of the Safer Care Project to team working and clinical leadership: “The Safer Care Project has been clinically led, but it would not have been possible without the support of the procurement department and the medical engineering department. We have built much closer working relationships between these departments as a result of this initiative,” he commented.
He advised that it is important to set out and share a clear vision of why you are embarking on a project of this kind – the focus should be on improving the safety of care for patients.
“Clinical leadership is required to bring people along on the journey, as this is a new way of working…We hope to be able to demonstrate a cause and effect; that we have made a difference – we want to ensure the safest possible care by having the most accurate, up-to-date information for patients. We are already demonstrating a reduction in unwarranted variation, and we can see we are releasing time to care and benefitting patients,” said Gerry Bolger.
The future
The Trust is starting to implement sepsis alerting using the system with the aim of improving recognition and ensuring early intervention to improve outcomes. Sepsis is a
Key findings:
Total hours released to care = n 3,985 hours to date n 400 hours a month on average
life threatening condition that arises when the body’s response to an infection injures its own tissues and organs. It can lead to shock, multiple organ failure and death – especially if not recognised early and treated promptly. It affects 1 in 4 people coming into the healthcare environment and is a significant, often unseen challenge. Once implemented, this next step of the Safer Care Project will have the potential to save more lives. In the near future, the goal is to look at the potential to integrate other devices such as those used during anaesthesia. “If this can be done for one device, why not others?” Gerry Bolger concluded.
Reference
1 Smith, Laura B. Msn, Rn; Banner, Laura Bsn, Rn, Bc; Lozano, Diego Md; Olney, Christine M. Phd, Rn; Friedman, Bruce D Eng, Connected Care: Reducing Errors Through Automated Vital Signs Data Upload (2009) Computers, Informatics Nursing (CIN) Vol 27, Iss 5, 318-323
CSJ
To watch Gerry Bolger’s full presentation at Completing the Picture visit the Welch Allyn YouTube channel, or scan this QR code.
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