Performance (month 12, March 2014)
In summary:
• ED Performance against the 4 hour standard in March was 97.5%, and for Q3 the Trust was the best performing Trust in the region.
• 18 weeks Referral To Treatment delivery remains favourable to expected standards at aggregate level but admitted performance was not achieved in T&O and General Surgery.
• Cancer access: All Cancer standards were achieved in March 2014.
• Patient safety indicators continued to show expected levels of performance.
• The latest HSMR data and SHMI data both show overall trust mortality is lower than expected.
• The Trust had no MRSA bloodstream infection or C-Diff cases in March. C-Diff ended the year with 23 cases, 8 cases below trajectory.
• Maternity indicators continue to show positive performance.
A New Approach to PROMS
Patient reported outcome measures (PROMS) are structured questionnaires that measure the patients’ perception of their health status; functional health and their health-related quality of life (HRQOL). They complement other outcome measures in order to gain a more rounded picture of the patients’ views on both the process and the outcome of care.
PROM data is already collected for some elective surgical procedures. However, at SASH we are developing a new approach to PROMS by incorporating it into daily clinical practice. We believe this will ultimately lead to both patients and clinicians working together to improve patient care. We are also encouraging the use of condition specific PROMS within each speciality. This will engage patients in their care, give real time feedback, allow for shared decision making and enhance the quality and outcome of care given.
For more information please contact: Thayalan.kandiah@sash.nhs.ukor kofi.nimako@sash.nhs.uk
Outpatients Improvements
As part of the continuing improvements at East Surrey Hospital work has begun on refurbishing the public areas in our three main outpatient departments. The Trust is spending £130,000 on improvements which will include new seating, lighting, floors and redecoration.
The work is due to finish later this month and, alongside the recently installed information screens, is part of the Trust’s strategy to improve patient experience by improving the environment at the hospital.
Endoscopy Open Day
The Endoscopy team at East Surrey Hospital is holding an open day in its state of the unit on May 10 between 10am and 1pm. The staff also provide a range of gastro-intestinal and therapeutic services and visitors are welcome to tour the unit, watch doctors using simulators, and talk to dieticians and colorectal and inflammatory bowel experts. There will be videos for people to watch and a wide range of information available, including details on bowel cancer screening and inflammatory bowel disease.
For more information contact: gary.mackenzie@sash.nhs.uk
The End of the Financial Year
In the last month the unaudited Annual Accounts have been submitted, the Annual Report is drafted and the Quality Account has been drafted and sent to our local health partners for comments.
The Trust has also achieved a ‘green’ rating in its annual Information Governance Toolkit submission. Information governance describes how we manage data, keep confidential information confidential and ensure all staff are aware of their responsibilities. The toolkit comprises 45 standards and to achieve an overall ‘green’ rating, the Trust had to evidence compliance in all of them.
Queen Presents OBE to Consultant
It was a very proud moment for our consultant Professor Abhay Rane who was awarded an OBE for services to laparoscopic surgery. The presentation by Her Majesty the Queen, took place at Windsor Castle recently.
Professor Rane performed the first keyhole surgery through the belly button in Europe when he pioneered the procedure on a patient at East Surrey Hospital in 2007. Since then, he has taught and mentored other specialists to perform the practice across the world.
National Recognition for SASH Physician Assistant (PA)
Rachel Forbes-Pyman, one of the PAs on our Acute Medical Unit was awarded the title of National Physician Associate of the Year at the recent National Association of Physicians annual conference.
Physician Assistants/Associates are trained to perform a range of roles including: taking medical histories, performing examinations, performing ward rounds and medical note-keeping. The team of PAs at SASH play an important role in helping patients’ access treatment more quickly and discharged sooner.
The Journal
This month sees the launch of our new quarterly newsletter The Journal, written by Trust healthcare professionals for healthcare professionals.
The Journal aims to improve inter-professional engagement, collaborative practice and knowledge-sharing across the Trust, while helping to embed a culture of continual learning and quality improvement. Follow the link to our website to find out more.