North West Coast Patient Safety Collaborative

Presented by:

Dr Liz Mear Chief Executive

Aims of AHSNs • To spread innovation at pace and scale across regions

• To integrate the strengths of higher education, the

NHS, industry, third sector, local authorities

• To improve health of individuals and communities

• To focus on the needs of local populations

• To speed up adoption of innovation into health and

social care

• To build a culture of partnership and collaboration

• To create wealth

PSC Principles • Local engagement - structured quality improvement

initiatives leading to transformational change

• Continual improvement in system-wide capability in quality

and safety

• Local systematic spread of improved outcomes across

health and social care

• Networking between the AHSNs, partner organisations

and stakeholders to ensure the optimal spread of good

practice

• There is no blueprint – we create a regional approach

Focus on service users/ staff

Safety Priorities + others

NWC Clinical Safety Priorities

• Medicines Optimisation

• Sepsis

• Transition from paediatric to adult care

• Hydration

– Selected by NWC providers, commissioners and

universities

Leadership Priorities

• Board development in safety

• Safety training and development for staff working

at patient care level

• Developing safety champions or leads in each

organisation

• Setting up learning networks around safety

improvement themes

• Technology reviews to identify solutions

to safety issues

Link to PSC Event Video

Medicines Optimisation Realising the value and potential of medicines to

improve outcomes (may have to select a more

expensive drug/ invest in support for patients to

adhere to medicines)

•4 principles of medicines optimisation

• Understand the patient experience

• Evidence-based choice of medicines

• Safe use of medicines

• Medicines optimisation as part of routine

practice

Medicines Safety

• Medicines are the most common health intervention

• They prolong, save & improve quality of lives.

• 9% error rate in prescribing

• At least 6% of emergency re-admissions result from

avoidable adverse reactions

• In primary care it is estimated that there are over 1.5

million prescribing errors each year (GMC study of

secondary care)

Medicines Safety 2

• A multi-professional approach, with patients at the heart, is

required.

• Broadening use of technology

• Safer transfers of care

• Strengthening role of community pharmacy

• Working with care homes

• Better reporting from primary and secondary care

• Empowering patients & carers

North West Coast MO Programme

• Implementing a whole- systems approach to medicines optimisation, using global learning

• Supporting the development of clinical decision support devices – e.g. prescribing apps – right first time prescribing;

• Using simulation/intelligent data to predict where and why medication errors are likely to occur – identifying organisational reduction strategies

• Supporting the development of medication reviews with digital technology

• Trials of nano–technology to support patients to take their medicines at the prescribed time and dose.

• Using the medicines optimisation dashboard

Pressure Ulcers

• Any patient who lies or sits still for any length of time is

exposed to risk

• Prevention is better than cure. NICE identifies a number

of factors

– Effective, informed assessment of the patient and

their skin;

- Implementation of pressure reducing and systemic

(e.g. improved nutritional state, continence

management) preventive measures

Benefits of a Technology Review

• Filter out products which are unlikely to improve on what is

currently available

• Explore the health economics of different technologies upfront

• Work with manufacturers on behalf of the whole region to

develop solutions

• Identify forthcoming products so that organisations can plan

and resource their introduction

• Work with procurement experts to get best deals

Pressure Ulcers A Technology Review

• Silicone pressure relieving pads which give more

effective relief and improved performance than

traditional materials e.g sheepskin;

• “Intelligent” pressure relieving mattresses –work out

and apply the best interface pressures for individual

patients

• “Micro climate” management systems – designs

which take moisture away from the patient : mattress

interface, and maintain the patient’s skin at an optimised

temperature

Dr Liz Mear Chief Executive E: Liz.Mear@nwcahsn.nhs.uk T: 01772 520260 M: 07891 698692

If you would like to work with us and make a difference to the lives of millions of local people, please contact:

Philip Dylak Programme Manager, Patient Safety

/AQuA Associate E: Philip.Dylak@nwcahsn.nhs.uk T: 01772 520255 M: 07538 022771

info@nwcahsn.nhs.uk @nwcahsn

www.nwcahsn.nhs.uk