Staff at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust have been shortlisted in two separate categories for national awards recognising their work to improve patient safety at Stepping Hill Hospital.
Wendy Oakes, specialist nurse for acute kidney injury at the hospital is a finalist in the ‘Quality Lead’ category, and the pre-operative anaemia team are finalists in ‘Patient Safety in Surgical Care’ category at this year’s Patient Safety Awards, presented by the Health Service Journal.
Wendy Oakes has led on the introduction of a new care plan and IT alert system for patients with acute kidney injuries, which is a sudden reduction in a person’s kidney function. With the help of the new system and training for staff led by Wendy, patients are now assessed as to whether they have the condition sooner than before. This earlier recognition and timely intervention is fundamental in reducing the possible complications associated with acute kidney injury, which can be fatal.
The pre-operative team assess whether patients have anaemia prior to surgery. Patients who are anaemic have fewer blood cells and are at greater risk of death and other complications during operations. The pre-operative team have introduced a system of successfully identifying patients with the condition at an earlier stage, and treating them with iron supplements without the need for a blood transfusion, which was used previously. This is easier and safer for the patient, as well as more cost effective.
In both cases, patient safety has been improved which will save lives over the long term.
Judith Morris, Director of Nursing and Midwifery at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, said “The safety of patients is always our top priority, and I am truly delighted the efforts and innovation of our staff in these two separate areas have been recognised in this way.”
The winning teams will be announced at a ceremony in Manchester on 4th July.
