Acute / Hospital Care

NWLH Trust has developed Care Bundles as part of the saving lives campaign. The Trust looked at the top conditions and implemented care bundles using level 1&2 research evidence. Care Bundles are a set of qualitative indicators, for a specific treatment, condition or procedure. They fit well with patient safety, quality and clinical governance frameworks. 10 Care Bundles have been implemented including Thrombo-embolism, MRSA, C Difficile, sepsis, stroke, COPD, heart failure, CVC, ventilator acquired pneumonia, and surgical site infection.

Multiprofessional agreement on the key indicators, staff engagement, support and publicity launch, and audit of compliance. Led by Clinical Nurse Specialists and Advanced Nurse Practitioners and audited by the Senior Nurse for the Emergency Floor.

There has been a reduction in the HSMR [mortality rates] from 84% to 74% in the first year with the current data showing the mortality rate at 69%.

Staff have a clear set of indicators to guide and lead practice. Patient care is based on evidence and variances can be audited.

It is estimated that the introduction of the VTE Care Bundle should reduce the incidence of inpatients developing a PE or DVT by 50% which is estimated to save £ 400,000 by reducing the length of stay for patients, and reducing mortality associated with PE.

Care Bundles, significant reduction in mortality rates, evidence based practice