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Care fears over avoidable deaths | Care fears over avoidable deaths |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Poor communication between staff, faulty equipment and a lack of skills have all contributed to the avoidable deaths of patients, a report says. | Poor communication between staff, faulty equipment and a lack of skills have all contributed to the avoidable deaths of patients, a report says. |
The National Patient Safety Agency found some staff failed to make checks while others did not to realise their patient's condition was worsening. | The National Patient Safety Agency found some staff failed to make checks while others did not to realise their patient's condition was worsening. |
Hospital staff were also criticised for having poor resuscitation knowledge. | Hospital staff were also criticised for having poor resuscitation knowledge. |
The watchdog's warning comes as the NHS gets new advice on caring for acutely ill patients. | The watchdog's warning comes as the NHS gets new advice on caring for acutely ill patients. |
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), which advises the NHS on which treatments to use, has just published new guidelines on managing patients' sudden deterioration. | |
Every preventable death is a tragedy, not only for the family but for the staff involved Professor Richard Thomson, of the NPSA | Every preventable death is a tragedy, not only for the family but for the staff involved Professor Richard Thomson, of the NPSA |
Every year about 13m people are admitted to acute hospitals in England and Wales. | Every year about 13m people are admitted to acute hospitals in England and Wales. |
Experts at the watchdog analysed 1,804 serious incidents reported to it that resulted in death in 2005. | Experts at the watchdog analysed 1,804 serious incidents reported to it that resulted in death in 2005. |
Some 576 deaths were highlighted as being potentially avoidable, 425 of which occurred in acute or general hospitals. | Some 576 deaths were highlighted as being potentially avoidable, 425 of which occurred in acute or general hospitals. |
Of those, 71 related to diagnostic errors, 64 related to incidents where a patient's deterioration was not recognised or acted upon and 43 involved problems with resuscitation after cardiac arrest. | Of those, 71 related to diagnostic errors, 64 related to incidents where a patient's deterioration was not recognised or acted upon and 43 involved problems with resuscitation after cardiac arrest. |
The other deaths relate to a wide variety of issues including medication error, suicide and still birth. | The other deaths relate to a wide variety of issues including medication error, suicide and still birth. |
Concerns | Concerns |
Among the deaths involving resuscitation, the study found that many suggested that "medical and nursing staff did not have the depth of knowledge and skills required." | Among the deaths involving resuscitation, the study found that many suggested that "medical and nursing staff did not have the depth of knowledge and skills required." |
Professor Richard Thomson, the NPSA's director of epidemiology and research, said: "These are not new concerns but more effort is needed to recognise and act upon them. | Professor Richard Thomson, the NPSA's director of epidemiology and research, said: "These are not new concerns but more effort is needed to recognise and act upon them. |
"Every preventable death is a tragedy, not only for the family but for the staff involved. | "Every preventable death is a tragedy, not only for the family but for the staff involved. |
"This report, alongside the NICE guideline, recommends actions that can improve the quality and safety of care of acutely ill patients." | "This report, alongside the NICE guideline, recommends actions that can improve the quality and safety of care of acutely ill patients." |
Dr Mary Armitage, of Royal College of Physicians, said she hoped the warnings would lead to an improvement in care. | Dr Mary Armitage, of Royal College of Physicians, said she hoped the warnings would lead to an improvement in care. |
"A meticulous and ongoing review of a patient's condition is an essential part of safe and effective clinical care and should be standard practice in all acute care environments." | "A meticulous and ongoing review of a patient's condition is an essential part of safe and effective clinical care and should be standard practice in all acute care environments." |
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