Delays and interruptions in the acute medical unit clerking process

"Interruptions and delays regularly occurred during the admission process in the study hospital which impacts adversely on patient experience and compliance with the recommended 4-h timeframe, further work is required to assess the impact on patient safety. Data obtained from this observational study were used to guide operational changes to improve the process."


Delays and interruptions in the acute medical unit clerking process: an observational study
AJ Basey, TD Kennedy, AJ Mackridge, J Krska
JRSM Open February 2016 vol. 7 no. 2 2054270415619323

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Improving induction of labour - a quality improvement project

"Induction of labour (IOL) in maternity care is often not an area of priority in maternity services, which often results in protracted delays, a poor patient experience, and patient complaints. Caesarean section (CS) rates among women undergoing IOL at this inner city district general hospital were noted to be higher than other units nationwide."

Improving induction of labour - a quality improvement project addressing Caesarean section rates and length of process in women undergoing induction of labour
S O'Dwyer, C Raniolo, J Roper, M Gupta
BMJ Quality Improvement Reports 2015;4: doi:10.1136/bmjquality.u203804.w4027

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Cutting delays in reversing anticoagulation after intracerebral haemorrhage

"We have substantially reduced delays in delivering PCC (Prothrombin complex concentrate) to VKA-ICH (vitamin K antagonists) patients at our centre and our simple changes could be easily implemented at centres facing similar barriers."

Cutting delays in reversing anticoagulation after intracerebral haemorrhage: three key changes at a UK comprehensive stroke centre
A Parry-Jones
BMJ Quality Improvement Reports 2015;4: doi:10.1136/bmjquality.u208763.w3521

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Standardising the organisation of clinical equipment on surgical wards

"By implementing, a very simple common-sense intervention with multidisciplinary engagement, supportive managers, and a versatile adaptive strategy we achieved a measured reduction in the time-taken to locate clinical equipment."

Standardising the organisation of clinical equipment on surgical wards at North Bristol NHS Trust: a quality improvement initiative
J Ward, R Spencer, E Soo, K Finucane
BMJ Quality Improvement Reports 2015;4: doi:10.1136/bmjquality.u208308.w3441

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Warfarin prescription and administration: reducing the delay, improving the safety

"Through introduction of a "warfarin box" we were able to improve the number of doses given within an hour of the recommended time and the daily average of administration time."

Warfarin prescription and administration: reducing the delay, improving the safety
R Dyar, S Hall, B McIntyre
BMJ Quality Improvement Reports 2015;4: doi:10.1136/bmjquality.u204509.w1983

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Improving phlebotomy handover to doctors

"Implementation of a hospital-standardised phlebotomy handover folder dramatically improved the communication and handover between phlebotomists and doctors allowing for medical teams to take prompt action on unbled patients. This intervention will help improve patient safety, reduce delays in management/discharge and reduce the number of jobs handed over to evening on-call teams."

Improving phlebotomy handover to doctors: a quality improvement project
G Shouls, Z Jarrar, J Wickenden
BMJ Quality Improvement Reports 2014;3: doi:10.1136/bmjquality.u204813.w2033

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