Hospital death rates worst in NW
Death rates in Wigan's hospitals are the worst in the North West.
Latest figures reveal the standardised mortality rate for Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh (WWL) NHS Trust in 2007 was 124, equating to more than 3,000 deaths in hospital.
That makes the Trust the worst performing in the region and one of the worst in the country.
The average Hospital Standardised Mortality Rate (HSMR) is 100 and is calculated to take account many aspects including sex, age, deprivation, length of stay, how patients were admitted and other illnesses that patients may have.
The HSMR for the North West is 12 per cent higher than the average of 100, standing at 112, with 70,512 deaths in 2007 – but that figure is still much better than Wigan's.
In order to reduce mortality rates, WWL Trust is launching a new campaign – Right Patient, Right Ward – to ensure all patients are admitted to the correct ward for treatment.
The idea is that patients will be admitted to the correct wards, with the corresponding specialist medical staff to treat them, rather than being placed in a bed in a non-specialist ward.
Patients will have better access to the specific care they need and will be seen more regularly by the relevant medical team.
The Trust has already announced that some progress has been made in the cardiology department, ensuring that all cardiology patients are admitted to cardiology wards, nursed by cardiology staff.
The trust now aims to reduce the length of stay and therefore reduce the risk of infection.
Click next page for more ...Patients who require more complex care will be assessed and moved to a bed in the corresponding ward.
A spokesman for WWL Trust said: "The Trust is strengthening its plans to actively reduce mortality rates.
"Lowering hospital admissions and caring for people in the most appropriate environment, sometimes outside the hospital environment, is key.
"However, when hospital care is needed, the Trust intends to minimise that time, whilst not undermining patient safety or quality of care.
"Evidence has shown that extended length of stay in a hospital environment can increase the risk of infection, become detrimental to patient's independence and increase the likelihood of reliance on long term care.
"The Trust is looking at the whole patient pathway to ensure that the right patients are being treated in the right place and at the right time.
"After a six-month review of patients' needs and the services we provide, initiatives have been implemented to ensure we are working smarter.
"'Speciality beds' have been ring fenced for cardiology, stroke patients and also patients with fractured neck of femur and this has built upon the safe and appropriate service for patient's who need specific medical and nursing care."
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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