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Health campaign 'saves 850 lives' Health campaign 'saves 850 lives'
(about 2 hours later)
Doctors estimate a campaign to improve patient safety in Wales has helped save over 800 lives since it was launched. Doctors estimate a campaign to improve patient safety in Wales has helped save more than 850 lives since its launch.
The 1000 Lives Campaign aims to reduce infections and surgical complications, and improve critical care and the management of medicines.The 1000 Lives Campaign aims to reduce infections and surgical complications, and improve critical care and the management of medicines.
Based on usual mortality rates, it is estimated it has saved 852 lives in its first 18 months.Based on usual mortality rates, it is estimated it has saved 852 lives in its first 18 months.
Doctors said excellent work was taking place but progress was "patchy" and further improvements would be made.Doctors said excellent work was taking place but progress was "patchy" and further improvements would be made.
The campaign was launched two years ago and ends on Wednesday.The campaign was launched two years ago and ends on Wednesday.
Every health board and trust has been involved in the campaign working on up to six key areas to improve best practice.Every health board and trust has been involved in the campaign working on up to six key areas to improve best practice.
The World Health Organization's surgical safety checklist is now being used by operating theatre teams throughout Wales.The World Health Organization's surgical safety checklist is now being used by operating theatre teams throughout Wales.
It focuses on basic good practice such as checking the patient's identity and the correct part of the body for operation, ensuring all necessary equipment is available and providing an opportunity for discussing any complications that may arise.It focuses on basic good practice such as checking the patient's identity and the correct part of the body for operation, ensuring all necessary equipment is available and providing an opportunity for discussing any complications that may arise.
The campaign has: Made sure patients with deteriorating conditions are identified earlier, so nursing staff can intervene more quickly and request medical interventionDeveloped a procedure to prevent pressure ulcers, which has led to some wards having gone more than a year without a caseMade sure catheter related blood stream infections (CRBSI) are now a rare, rather than a common event in WalesReduced infections related to surgery - thanks to replacing razors with surgical clippers and better monitoring of patient's temperatures before, during and after surgeryWorked with GPs to improve the reliability of drug dosage instructions given to patients, particularly in relation to Warfarin Improved treatment for chronic heart failure through better diagnosis, medication and lifestyle adviceDeveloped "trigger tools" now used by GPs, the Welsh Ambulance Service and staff at Velindre Cancer Centre to identify and track potential harmSource: 1000 Lives Campaign CAMPAIGN WORK: Made sure patients with deteriorating conditions are identified earlier, so nursing staff can intervene more quickly and request medical interventionDeveloped a procedure to prevent pressure ulcers, which has led to some wards having gone more than a year without a caseMade sure catheter related blood stream infections (CRBSI) are now a rare, rather than a common event in WalesReduced infections related to surgery - thanks to replacing razors with surgical clippers and better monitoring of patient's temperatures before, during and after surgeryWorked with GPs to improve the reliability of drug dosage instructions given to patients, particularly in relation to Warfarin Improved treatment for chronic heart failure through better diagnosis, medication and lifestyle adviceDeveloped "trigger tools" now used by GPs, the Welsh Ambulance Service and staff at Velindre Cancer Centre to identify and track potential harmSource: 1000 Lives Campaign
Other initiatives include patient safety "walkrounds" in nursing homes, GP practices and hospitals.Other initiatives include patient safety "walkrounds" in nursing homes, GP practices and hospitals.
They help staff to raise safety concerns directly with senior managers, suggest solutions and ensure concerns are quickly acted upon.They help staff to raise safety concerns directly with senior managers, suggest solutions and ensure concerns are quickly acted upon.
Hospitals in Powys were the first in Wales to use gowns filled with hot air which aim to keep patients warm before, during and after surgery, and also help to tackle infection.Hospitals in Powys were the first in Wales to use gowns filled with hot air which aim to keep patients warm before, during and after surgery, and also help to tackle infection.
Campaign director Dr Alan Willson said: "Patient safety is now on the agenda of every health board and trust in Wales and the campaign's new ways of working are clearly making an impact."Campaign director Dr Alan Willson said: "Patient safety is now on the agenda of every health board and trust in Wales and the campaign's new ways of working are clearly making an impact."
The figure of 852 "lives saved" is an estimate drawn from the expected hospital standardised mortality ratio (HSMR) which measures hospital deaths in Wales.The figure of 852 "lives saved" is an estimate drawn from the expected hospital standardised mortality ratio (HSMR) which measures hospital deaths in Wales.
The figures are for the first 18 months of the campaign, and when the final numbers are available it is expected it will reach its 1,000 target.The figures are for the first 18 months of the campaign, and when the final numbers are available it is expected it will reach its 1,000 target.
Campaign directors also estimate more than 29,000 episodes of harm were averted in its first year.Campaign directors also estimate more than 29,000 episodes of harm were averted in its first year.
The campaign will be succeeded next month by 1000 Lives Plus, a five-year programme to continue the drive for higher quality standards in Welsh healthcare.The campaign will be succeeded next month by 1000 Lives Plus, a five-year programme to continue the drive for higher quality standards in Welsh healthcare.
Dr Willson added: "It's essential we maintain the momentum and don't lose focus.Dr Willson added: "It's essential we maintain the momentum and don't lose focus.
"Whilst there is excellent work taking place across Wales - it still remains patchy."Whilst there is excellent work taking place across Wales - it still remains patchy.
"The ultimate goal will be to have this good practice embedded in every organisation, so that it can be reliably and consistently delivered.""The ultimate goal will be to have this good practice embedded in every organisation, so that it can be reliably and consistently delivered."
Professor Sir Mansel Aylward, chairman of Public Health Wales, said the campaign had made a "significant contribution to our commitment to provide world class healthcare for Wales by 2015".Professor Sir Mansel Aylward, chairman of Public Health Wales, said the campaign had made a "significant contribution to our commitment to provide world class healthcare for Wales by 2015".
He added: "It has successfully engaged senior management, clinicians, frontline staff and patients in the drive for safer care at the same time as pioneering new ways of working."He added: "It has successfully engaged senior management, clinicians, frontline staff and patients in the drive for safer care at the same time as pioneering new ways of working."