Issue 12: April 2009

National news

Department of Health/ NHS Information Centre publish new quality indicators for NHS
The Department of Health and the NHS Information Centre have published a list of high quality care indicators for the NHS to help clinicians increase the quality of care they deliver to patients.

Action required: To be read by all managers and clinicians.

More patients say hospital wards and bathrooms are clean, finds major survey
The Care Quality Commission has published the results from the sixth national inpatient survey, of 165 acute and specialist NHS trusts in England. ULHT scored Good on Quality of Services and Fair on Use of Resources. For a more detailed analysis of the results for the Trust, visit the Care Quality Commission’s survey site.

Action required: Survey especially the unsatisfactory areas to be read by clinicians and managers.

Catheter mix-ups in NHS prompt new guidance
The NPSA has issued guidance on the correct use of catheters, after 114 incidents, reported between 2006-2008, where female-length urinary catheters (around 20cm shorter than standard length ones) were accidentally inserted into male patients...

Action required: Front-line healthcare staff should read this guidance to avoid catheter mix-up.

Evidence Templates to facilitate assessments in 2009/10 available
Evidence Templates for use when assessing against the 2009/10 NHSLA/CNST risk management standards are now available

Action required: To be read by those involved in risk assessment against these standards.

Reducing the risk of retained throat packs after surgery
The NPSA has released this Safer Practice Notice on the throat packs, which if retained after surgery is completed can lead to obstruction of the patients' airways.

Action required: To be read by those surgical teams and surgery managers.

Quarter of stroke patients still not given best treatment
The Royal College of Physicians reports that despite many improvements, a quarter of patients in the 2008 National Sentinel Audit for Stroke were not offered the best treatment for stroke, a stay in a dedicated stroke unit…

Action required: To be read by clinical teams, and managers working in stroke care.


This bulletin is brought to you by Library and Knowledge Services. It aims to keep you up-to-date with infection control issues. At the beginning of each month, a librarian will update the bulletin with relevant information published in the preceding month. If there are areas you think we also need to cover, please let us know.