Share this page on these sites
Other safety initiatives
Using information to reduce risk| | 'The Trouble with Handovers' DVD for clinical staff|
New safety Cannula
Needlestick injuries can be a potential hazard for staff and patients.
At the ORH we have worked hard to reduce the risk by increasing awareness and following best practice needle use and disposal.
Following a detailed clinical evaluation, the Trust also converted to the BD Venflon Pro Safety IV Cannula (pictured to the right) which has been shown to reduce the incidence of needlestick injuries.
Using information to reduce risk
Specialist software called Ulysses Safeguard allows efficient and auditable communication on safety, and provides information for trend analysis and organisational learning.
Software from healthcare intelligence company Dr Foster alerts us if our performance differs from the national average or expected performance on patient mortality. We can compare our performance against a peer group of hospitals.
Electronic surveying of inpatients is being introduced, allowing us to monitor quality of care from the patients' perspective. This gives ward areas quick feedback, helping them address local issues promptly.
Safety and quality are measured against a number of quality indicators – at the Trust, Divisional and Directorate level – and some of these measures are also included in the Board of Directors' reports so that these strands of work remain joined up. Quality indicators are also monitored by Oxfordshire PCT.
'The Trouble with Handovers' DVD
Incidents occur for many reasons and usually not in isolation but when there is a breakdown in a succession of events.
A breakdown in communication during the handover process can result in vital information not being passed on.
This film, 'The Trouble with Handovers', highlights the importance of clinical handovers to patient safety.
The film follows an elderly man with dementia who develops pneumonia and a crush fracture in his thoracic spine. An admission to hospital goes badly wrong due to important information being lost at handovers between staff.
This film is designed for all levels of clinical staff for use in educational sessions or team meetings.
For a copy on DVD please contact Safety, Quality and Risk: 01865 222566.