Winner
From admission to discharge and beyond: a holistic 7 day diabetes inpatient service
by East and North Herts NHS Trust
Following negotiations with the local CCG the Trust developed the ‘Diabetes Outreach Team’. This team delivers seven-day, proactive ward rounds specifically targeting high risk patients and delivering a comprehensive set of interventions, which includes patient education, direct clinical input, identification and referral to psychology, smoking cessation and structured education programmes. A focus on supporting the emergency department has meant that readmission is avoided as much as possible and diabetic emergencies are dealt with by specialists.
Judges comment:
“Good objectives driven by CQUINS and therefore measurable by the CCG. This is extensive and appropriate – and if attained certainly would improve clinical outcomes, patient experience and long-term complications. The plan is so detailed and well thought through, and covers many aspects of care, data collection and audit cycles. This received testimonials from the highest positions in the organisation and the team obviously gained respect and has been rewarded in the Trust as well as at an international level at EASD.”
Highly commended
ThinkGlucose and in-patient teams improve patient safety and hypoglycaemia management
by Think Glucose Team, Royal Glamorgan and Prince Charles Hospitals, Cwm Taf University Health Board
Ward staff can lack knowledge and confidence in diabetes care. The ThinkGlucose (TG) quality and safety innovation programme was introduced to raise awareness of the specific clinical needs of diabetes inpatients and support the inpatient management of diabetes. A staff knowledge assessment based on questionnaire ahead of the introduction of TG demonstrated an average of 48% on baseline scores. This rose to 81% following the education programme. Post-intervention data also demonstrates a significant, sustained reduction in prescription errors. Staff diabetes training increases patient safety, reduces errors and length of stay. It also improves quality of care, staff satisfaction, knowledge and confidence.
Judges comment:
“This is a well-written and evidenced entry. The project plan teased out more objectives than were stated. There was good, detailed data and statistical analysis with strong results. The link to HCP is a good idea in increasing quality care at ward level.”
