WINNER
Hypoglycaemia simulation training to address serious untoward incidents in a hospital setting
by Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
The DISN team created a Hypoglycaemia Simulation Training programme following three Serious Untoward Incidents (SUIs) of hypoglycaemia, two of which resulted in deaths. The programme enabled teaching of the management of hypoglycaemia according to the Trust guideline within wards at the point of care. Following the session, participants undertake a structured team de-brief that analyses learning points, responses to the event, team communication and working integration, appropriate and timely use of ward and hypoglycaemia resources. Open and interactive dicussion provides feedback for development and any remedial measures are identified and actioned.
Judges comment:
“The judges were highly impressed by the way this team assessed the local situation and delivered what was really needed by the community. The level of engagement with service users was great to see, resulting in some fantastic satisfaction feedback. With clear objectives, a definitive service improvement model and excellent long-term evaluation, this high impact initiative is adaptable and highly replicable – the judges hope to see it disseminated across the country’s NHS trusts.”
COMMENDED
Introducing a specialist diabetes sports service at Oxford Children’s Hospital
by Oxford Children’s Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Regular exercise is important to maintain physical and mental health for children and young people with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) – but the challenge is avoiding potentially disabling hypos and highs which can adversely affect performance. The specialist Diabetes Sports Clinics are held twice a year to support young sportspeople. There has been a 73% reduction in hypos and information is provided on exercise and physiology, diet and food choices and managing insulin doses. Each patient gets a personalised care summary. Evaluation found 93% of families ‘strongly agreed’ or ‘agreed’ they could improve their child’s care using information from the clinic, while 100% were ‘very likely’ or ‘likely’ to recommend the clinic to family or friends with T1DM.
Judges comment:
“This is an amazing, much-needed service and a great example of taking an innovative idea and replicating it in a local area. The involvement of the service users in the later stages was brilliant – especially the use of existing social media platforms to capture feedback from the younger demographic. While elite-focused, the judges felt it was a patient-centric initiative that offers vital encouragement for children with Type 1 diabetes.”
COMMENDED
Operation Pharmacist: Ending the Highs and Lows of Diabetes
by St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
The Trust introduced a diabetes specialist pharmacist to the pre-operative setting, in order to optimise and pre-empt medicines management issues pre-surgery, and to collaborate and better utilise skill sets of other healthcare professionals. From pre-operative care to theatres, recovery, ward and finally discharge, pharmacists ensured bespoke plans were actioned and communicated, with excellent feedback from surgeons, anaesthetists and diabetes team. Since completion of this work, its data has persuaded the Trust chief executive to create permanent pharmacist support. There has since been a drive to upskill pharmacy workforce through specialist diabetes workshops and simulation projects to support patients.
Judges comment:
“A very successful and innovative pilot programme with clear objectives and outcomes. The proactive use of the wider multidisciplinary team was impressive and highlighted pharmacists as an underused key resource. The judges would love to see the initiative rolled out nationally.”
FINALIST
Diabetes pregnancy care – achieving similar outcomes to non-diabetes related pregnancies?
by Diabetes Antenatal Team, Queen Alexandra Hospital Portsmouth NHS Trust
This project involved the diabetes, maternity and community midwife teams collectively improving outcomes in diabetes-related pregnancies through a redesign of existing diabetes maternity and midwifery services. The international St Vincent’s Declaration of 1989 for Diabetes called for pregnancy outcomes in women with diabetes to approximate those of women without diabetes. The team believes its outcome measures, achieved through substantive service redesign and collaboration of several multi-disciplinary teams, demonstrate that health care professionals can step up to this challenge.
Judges comment:
“A truly worthwhile project with fantastic results and very effective team integration.”
