'Lansley must listen to nurses on the front line' Patient Safety Resources
Patient safety resources for nurses from the NPSA and Nursing Times
NPSA Rapid Response Series
The following articles from the National Patient Safety Agency are based on Rapid Response Reports, one-page warning notices issued to the health service by the NPSA with actions to reduce harm.
Each article in the series offers practical tips and examples to help nurses put safety into practice.
We welcome feedback on this series and our work in identifying risks to patients - please contact us at rrr@npsa.nhs.uk.
How to reduce dose errors for heparin
A Rapid Response Report by the National Patient Safety Agency outlines how errors associated with calculating doses of low molecular weight heparin can be reduced
Safety when giving insulin in hospital
A Rapid Response Report by the National Patient Safety Agency outlines how risks associated with insulin administration can be minimised to prevent harm
Pregnancy checks before surgery
An NPSA Rapid Response Report outlines how to ensure that women do not undergo surgical procedures when they are unaware that they are pregnant.
Detecting problems after gastrostomy
An NPSA Rapid Response Report outlines how to ensure that complications occurring after gastrostomy are detected and responded to without delay
Harm from omitted and delayed drugs
An NPSA Rapid Response Report outlines how to ensure that critical medicines are administered correctly and without delay to prevent death and serious harm
More Nursing Practice and Clinical Research
Using safety crosses for patient self-reflection
Patients in a medium-secure mental health unit used Productive Ward safety crosses as a tool for self-reflection in order to promote recovery.
Developing clinical research nurses
Clinical research nurses can make a vital contribution to high-quality care. This project explored the issues they face in terms of development and support.
"See the big picture and stay vigilant over patient safety"
In 2004, a child died after being fed through a nasogastric tube that had been misplaced in her lungs.
Medication errors in patients with dysphagia
A study examined whether medication errors were more common in acute hospital patients with dysphagia than those without, and the type and cause of such errors.
Drug administration guides in dysphagia
People with dysphagia suffer more drug administration errors than the general population. Individualised guides were developed to boost nurses’ confidence and improve safety.
Preparing leaders for safeguarding children
A training course aimed to develop leadership abilities in designated child-protection professionals to improve their skills, confidence and ability to challenge poor practice.
Travel risk assessment and risk management
Tailored advice given during travel health consultations can help people to make informed choices about risk-management strategies.
Using COPD action plans to manage exacerbations
People at risk of COPD exacerbations should be given self-management plans to encourage them to respond to increased symptoms - but do patients use them?
"I know what my body is telling me I need"
Alun Morgan, 62, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 49. He describes his contrasting experiences of nursing care during a short spell in hospital.
Preventing, assessing and managing skin tears
Skin tears can become chronic wounds if they are not treated appropriately, and are a growing problem as the number of older people increases.
Creating a protocol to reduce inpatient falls
Falls can result in death or injury. An acute hospital introduced pre-printed falls assessment care plans and supported nurse education to reduce fall rates
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Developing standard data for handover
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Exploring the evidence for using TENS to relieve pain
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Benefits of digital thoracic drainage systems
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"The tide of endless emails and sticky notes must be tackled"
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"Teaching injection technique will improve quality of life"
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Treating staggered paracetamol overdose
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Changing practice for safe insulin administration
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Injection technique in insulin therapy
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Barriers to managing and improving quality
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Therapeutic use of cannabis
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Using OSCE for mandatory training
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"Systems such as red trays erode essential nursing skills"
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Tackling infection in care homes
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Skin reactions in radiotherapy
NPSA Rapid Response Reports
Patient Safety News
Coroner finds 'failings' in Mid Staffs twin deaths
A coroner has ruled there were failings in the care of twin babies who died after nurses at Stafford Hospital gave them a massive overdose of morphine.
New infection threats emerging to replace MRSA and C. diff
A third of healthcare associated infections are now caused by bacteria that need to be tackled with different infection control techniques to MRSA and C. difficile, a report has warned.
NMC admits to finding FtP errors in nursing register
The Nursing and Midwifery Council has admitted that IT errors have left hundreds of nurses and midwives with inaccurate registration records, in some cases involving cautions and striking off orders.
RCN outlines staffing needed for 'safe' care of older people
The Royal College of Nursing has specified precise recommendations around staffing numbers and skill mix for wards caring for older people.
Camera technology may be used to monitor hospital hand hygiene
Hospitals are being offered trials of camera technology developed for slaughterhouses that would see nursing practice monitored remotely from centres in other countries.
Academic attacks media 'myths' about nursing profession
A nursing historian has attacked media critics that express “highly critical” but “ill informed” opinions about the profession.
Trust introduces 'ward matrons' to boost nurse leadership
A hospital trust has created a new “ward matron” post in a bid to improve care quality and boost the status of its ward managers.
RCN warns of treatment in corridors and long trolley waits
Patients are being routinely left on trolleys for hours and treated in corridors and other inappropriate areas, the Royal College of Nursing has warned in the wake of new survey results.
