Routine 72-96 hour replacement of peripheral venous catheters - Do not do

"This Cochrane systematic review concluded that there is insufficient evidence to support the routine replacement of patients’ peripheral intravenous catheters every 72 to 96 hours. Clinical teams should inspect catheter insertion sites for signs of infection at each shift change and adopt a policy of replacing catheters only when clinically indicated. Such a policy would lead to significant cost savings and prevent unnecessary discomfort for patients associated with routine catheter replacement."

Routine 72-96 hour replacement of peripheral venous catheters (Quality and Productivity case study)
The UK Cochrane Centre and NICE
March 2016

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Fetal and umbilical doppler ultrasound in normal pregnancy - Do not do

"Existing data do not provide robust enough evidence that the use of routine umbilical artery Doppler ultrasound, or combination of umbilical and uterine artery Doppler ultrasound in low risk or unselected populations benefits either mother or baby. Until further research can support new practices, Doppler ultrasound examination should be reserved for use in high-risk pregnancies (Alfirevic et al, 2013)."

Fetal and umbilical doppler ultrasound in normal pregnancy (Quality and Productivity case study)
The UK Cochrane Centre and NICE
March 2016


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Alcohol Care Teams: to reduce acute hospital admissions and improve quality of care

"The principal component of this initiative is for a multidisciplinary Alcohol care team in each district hospital, led by a consultant with designated sessions, who will collaborate across hospitals and primary care, to develop a coordinated alcohol treatment and prevention programme. This team would organise systematic interventions and alcohol specialist nurses."

Alcohol Care Teams: to reduce acute hospital admissions and improve quality of care (Quality and Productivity case study)
The British Society of Gastroenterology and the Royal Bolton Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
NICE
March 2016

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Mechanical thrombectomy for large vessel occlusion stroke: improving clinical outcomes and reducing cost

"There have been significant cost-saving benefits to the NHS and social care providers from reduced hospital bed stay and reduced disability. There is no additional burden to the NHS because the majority of patients are admitted directly to the Stroke Unit after the procedure without the need for ITU support." 

Mechanical thrombectomy for large vessel occlusion stroke: improving clinical outcomes and reducing cost (Quality and Productivity case study)
Royal Stoke University Hospital, University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust
NICE
March 2016

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A project to reduce the number of PIMs (potentially inappropriate medications) on an elderly care ward

"A systematic approach to ward rounds with a ward round checklist offers a rigorous method to reduce the prevalence of PIMs, and the frequency of adverse drug events. This has important implications in the wider context of growing pressures to deliver higher standards of cost effective clinical care."

Less is more: a project to reduce the number of PIMs (potentially inappropriate medications) on an elderly care ward
T H Aung, A J Beck, T Siese, R Berrisford
BMJ Quality Improvement Reports 2015;5: doi:10.1136/bmjquality.u207857.w4260

Read more here.

Behavioural factors in person and community-centred approaches for health and wellbeing

"This report provides health and care audiences with a framework for understanding the drivers of behaviour, plus five factors that show how different behavioural mechanisms interact and play out. These factors seek to provide approaches that can help those grappling with how to encourage behaviour change for health to happen. These approaches can be hard-wired into the design of services, programmes, community initiatives, and indeed to the very lives of the people who engage with them."

Making the change: Behavioural factors in person and community-centred approaches for health and wellbeing
H Burd, M Hallsworth, The Behavioural Insights Team
March 2016

Read more here.

Workforce policy in the English NHS

"This report gives an overview of the components of workforce policy in the English NHS and the bodies which shape it. The report proposes ways in which workforce policy could be strengthened to improve the quality and productivity of care."

Fit for purpose?: Workforce policy in the English NHS
The Health Foundation
March 2016

Read more here.