Newsflash: Acute Care system fails an older patient, reflections from a relative

Ron Murphy is a software designer, he blogs at ronmurp.net

An older patient presenting acutely to A&E in an unwell and frail state can erroneously be assumed to be at their baseline pre-morbid state, with some additional new complaint like a “UTI” as an over-riding diagnosis. My active and mobile mother was reduced over a period of three months to a delirious crumpled wreck who didn’t know what day it was because of a persisting UTI that had not been dealt with. Her past medical history was complicated: stroke, heart attack, pacemaker, diverticulitis, arthritis, diabetes not well controlled, kidney function not right … you get the picture. But still, before the UTI she was sharp and active.

What follows is a brief account (you don’t want the detailed version) of what happened in A&E on three failed visits.

Unlocking gridlock in hospitals

Published in the June issue of the BGS Newsletter, we look at some startling results achieved through a couple of simple mechanisms as reported in to reports published by The Health Foundation.

The reports showcase programmes piloted in Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust

The Flow Cost Quality improvement programme was set up to explore the relationship between patient flow, costs and outcomes by examining patient flow through the emergency care pathway and developing ways in which capacity can be better matched to demand.