Monthly archives: June 2020

Heartbeat: Doctor donates plasma to help blast COVID-19

After recovering from COVID-19, Dr Zahid Sarfraz, one of our A&E doctors at Sandwell Hospital, has donated his plasma to help in the quest to develop a potential treatment to try and overcome the illness.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) are leading a programme to collect convalescent plasma from people who have recovered from COVID-19 to support a national clinical trial. The trial will investigate whether plasma transfusions could improve a COVID-19 patient’s speed of recovery and chances of survival.

Convalescent plasma is taken from people who have recovered from an infection. Recovered patients’ plasma may contain antibodies that their immune systems have produced in fighting the virus. That plasma can be transfused to patients whose immune systems are struggling to develop their own antibodies.

Although there is some evidence of patient benefit from the use of convalescent plasma, the safety and effectiveness of convalescent plasma transfusions needs to be confirmed by a robust clinical trial.

Speaking of his experience, Dr Sarfraz told us: “Initially I had a headache and aches, later I developed a high fever and sore throat. The week spent sick in bed in isolation was tough. Luckily, I recovered and, I am back working alongside my colleagues to try and overcome this virus that has impacted so many people.”

He added: “Everybody has been playing their part. I am hoping that by donating plasma I can help too, plus it’s easy to donate. NHSBT primarily contact potential convalescent plasma donors directly. It is important that potential donors have recovered and that they have had time to develop a good antibody response. If people have a confirmed positive test result and they are willing to donate, they can also provide details via a form on the NHSBT website at www.nhsbt.nhs.uk.”

Heartbeat: Come on Aileen! Priory 5 nurse beats COVID-19 after hard fight

As colleagues are well aware, it is not just the public at large that are at risk from the coronavirus pandemic. Many NHS workers across the country, as well as our peers and cohorts overseas, have also been at risk, and a number have sadly passed away.

Happily today we can share a positive story from one of our own who has thankfully fought off the virus – Aileen Dela Cruz, a familiar face to those on Priory 5 at Sandwell Hospital. Aileen, a staff nurse, has spent the last 19 years helping at the hospital. Although she recently found herself staying at the hospital for a lot longer than she expected.

With Aileen thankfully recovering at home, Heartbeat spoke to her husband John, himself a worker at the Trust, about her treatment. “It was an extremely tough time,” he told us. “But one made easier for all the hard work, effort and kindness shown by staff across the hospital.”

Aileen first became symptomatic on 26 March, immediately self-isolating following the Trust and national guidance. However, after twelve days she developed shortness of breath and with her condition deteriorating John called an ambulance.

“It was very worrying, all of it was. The ambulance came along and quickly got her into A&E, she ended up in AMU for four days, and despite everyone’s efforts she deteriorated further. She was moved into the intensive treatment unit (ITU) on 12 April where she was incubated for eleven days.

“We almost lost her. Very nearly lost her,” admitted John, with difficulty. “The team never gave up, and she never gave up. I knew everyone was doing their very best to save her.”

Despite being a Trust worker, John could not visit Aileen during this time which he admits was hard. “Concentrating on my job would have been impossible; to not be able to go in was very tough to accept. But I’m extremely grateful to all those who treated her including Eileen the ward manager and Stacey Collins – consultant, Emma Leno too, the nurses. They were all so compassionate; they all went the extra mile.”

“I’m also particularly thankful to our Chief Nurse, Paula Gardner. Paula rang me, checked how I was doing and asked if I needed any support. She told me I could get in contact with her if I needed and checked on Aileen when she visited the ITU. I’m very grateful to her and everyone.”

Discharged from hospital on 26 April, Aileen is still recovering from the effects of coronavirus as well as the arterial collapse she sustained on her left hand. She continues to receive support from Sandwell, although now from the therapies team.

“Thank you, everyone, for all your messages and your prayers for Aileen during this time. It has meant a great deal to us both.”

We at Heartbeat look forward to seeing Aileen back at Sandwell when she has recovered.

Essential upgrade affecting The Bleeps system: Wednesday 1st July – 09:00am

As part of our ongoing work to improve the Bleeps System there is a planned upgrade taking place on Wednesday 1^st July affecting the supporting IT infrastructure for the Bleeps system. The work is scheduled to begin at 9am and should be completed by 4pm.

As part of this activity, please be aware from 11:00am to 11:30am any Regular bleep messages i.e. non critical messages will not be transmitted for up to 30 minutes.  Urgent 2222 messages will not be affected by this work and will still operate as normal.

In the unlikely event that 2222  becomes affected by these works then departments should resort to their BCP and collect hand held radios from Security until advised that the works have been completed.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Heartbeat: Doctor reveals how his mum spotted COVID-19 from 6,000 miles away

Colleague Dr Kun Hu, has revealed how his mum saved his life 6,000 miles away – by spotting he needed urgent hospital help as his coronavirus symptoms worsened.

Dr Hu, a paediatric registrar at Sandwell Hospital, who has very mild asthma, had been battling the deadly virus from his home in early March before the true extent of condition was known in the UK.

But his mum, Qing, a retired public health doctor and scientist, who lives in Singapore, kept a daily check on her son who was living on his own. It meant that as his condition deteriorated she was able to alert him to seek help.

Dr Hu said: “My mum saved my life. My symptoms started with a fever of 39.2C, muscle aches, chest tightness, headache and fatigue. I didn’t have a cough. My friends were dropping off food for me on the doorstep whilst I self-isolated, but I didn’t have anyone at home to keep a constant eye on me. What I initially thought was a normal viral illness was just not getting any better.

“Luckily my parents were keeping in touch with me and my mum, in particular, was on top of the situation. She would call me every four-six hours, and over the first week, she could hear that I wasn’t improving.

She noticed that I was becoming breathless just talking to her, and on top of all the other persistent symptoms, she ordered me to seek medical attention.

“I think it was really important that I had that contact as I did not realise I was becoming seriously unwell. I was trying to rationalise and minimise my symptoms, but in fact, I had lost objectivity.”

Dr Hu was sleeping downstairs on his sofa for up to 20 hours a day and he was unable to climb the stairs without being out of breath. On his mum’s advice, he called 111, then his GP and then 999. He was taken by ambulance to Heartlands Hospital where he spent 11 days being cared for.

“I was treated for severe COVID-19 viral pneumonia in both lungs as well as liver dysfunction. The majority of my stay was on the infectious diseases ward,” he explained. “My temperature spiked at 40.5 degrees every day for 13 days. I required oxygen therapy for 14 days, and I needed oral morphine for the pain when I breathed in. Eventually, I started to recover after two weeks. I had fantastic care from all the staff on the ward – from the medics, nurses, health care assistants, and housekeeping staff, as well as the support of all my family, friends and work colleagues.

“Whilst I was in the hospital, my parents flew back to the UK, and it made a difference knowing they were closer by.” Dr Hu has been recovering back at home since the end of March. He can now walk up the stairs without getting breathless, but still feels ongoing fatigue and reduced exercise tolerance. He has recently started phased return to work at Sandwell Hospital.

“At the time when I had the symptoms, there weren’t a lot of cases or information on what to look for at all in the UK. I feel very lucky that I have overcome the virus, and I know that seeking early hospital help was the best thing that I could have done.”

Wellbeing pack survey June 2020: We need your feedback!

Your Trust Charity would be grateful if you to complete and return the short survey below. As a member of NHS Charities Together, Your Trust Charity has benefited from their national fundraising success. This has enabled the charity to have sourced, purchased and provided ‘wellbeing comfort packs’ to support our 7,000 colleagues working across the Trust’s catchment area. The charity are now required to evaluate the impact to date of wellbeing packs. The closing date for the survey is Friday 10 July.

Wellbeing packs survey June 2020

For more information please contact trustcharity@nhs.net.

Online grand rounds coming soon!

Online grand rounds will be starting on the first and third Thursday of each month from 12:30pm – 1:30pm.

If you are keen to present please send your expression of interest by getting in touch with the team swbh.welearngrandrounds@nhs.net.

For more information please see Online grand rounds flyer.

Star of the Week – Alison Rose

Our Star of the Week Award this week goes to Alison Rose, Nurse on AMU A.

Alison goes above and beyond for AMU and its patients.

AMU has recently due to the pandemic been identified to provide CPAP to COVID-19 patients. This required an immense amount of training and Alison offered to do this for us. She embarked on the training programme with enthusiasm and the whole of AMU were sufficiently trained in theory to deliver the service with two weeks. Alison consistently shows commitment to AMU A.

Do you know someone in your team that has gone above and beyond the call of duty? Why not put them forward for Star of the Week by clicking here.

Change to microbiology technician ‘on-call’

The microbiology technician ‘on-call’ now starts at 7.30pm, Monday -Friday. If you require an urgent sample to be tested, please contact them via switchboard.

Note: If you require results you can find these on Unity Please do not contact them for results as they will not have access to these from home. Please check Unity or call back after 9am on the following day.

Supporting adults and carers in hospital and at home through Sapphire – make a referral

Sapphire service has been delivered at Sandwell Hospital site for two years, and is delivered in partnership by Agewell and West Bromwich African Caribbean Resource Centre. The aim is to support older people (Sandwell Residents) and their family carers while they are in hospital and when they are discharged.

During COVID-19 Sapphire have not been based on the wards however, discharge planners (particularly Sandwell ED and AMU) and the iCares team can still refer patients before they are discharged and the support and wrap around service will commence when the patient goes home. They also accept referrals for Sandwell residents who are being discharged from City Hospital.

Services provided by Sapphire:

• Help with interpreting and acting on the Government’s coronavirus guidance
• Suggesting techniques and approaches for keeping active and staying healthy
• Identifying meaningful ways to stay connected, engaged and occupied
• Shopping (one off initial shop) and/or prescription collection
• Referral to the existing Sapphire Service for up to six weeks continued support
• Signposting to organisations in the community that can provide additional help
• Providing advice on financial assistance and welfare benefits
• Offering emotional support (including family carers)
• Liaison with other professionals e.g. GP, social worker.

How to make a referral:

• Phone: All referrals and enquiries can be directed to the Sapphire Service on 0121 796 9333 (Monday – Friday 9am – 4:30pm)
• Website: Complete the secure online referral form on www.agewelluk.org.uk
• Email: Completed Sapphire referral forms can be emailed to agewell.uk@nhs.net or info@agewelluk.org.uk

Allevyn silicone foam dressing recall

We have recently been made aware that some allevyn gentle bordered dressings (hospital dressings formulary) have the silicone shedding into the patients wound and on the skin.

We are working to recall these dressings as a matter of urgency and swap over to an alternative product until this issue is resolved.

When using allevyn gentle border please check the dressing backing (see image below). If silicone is noted to be still on the backing when it is removed please do not use this dressing. Instead source an alternative dressing with a different batch number. Please also return the identified box to pharmacy labelled return due to silicone shedding.

For more information please contact tissueviability2@nhs.net.