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Monthly archives: November 2020

Could you be a Patient Safety Specialist?

 

The Patient Safety Strategy was published by NHSEI in 2019 following a period of national consultation. Part of the key driver was moving from a Safety I (learning when things go wrong) to Safety II (learning when things go right), and also introducing three key changes:

  1. Introducing Patient Safety Specialists at all provider Trusts
  2. Introducing Patient Safety Partners to all provider Trusts
  3. Changing the way in which we investigate and learn from incidents and serious incidents.

We are now looking to identify colleagues to be our Patient Safety Specialists within the Trust. This is an additional role that will sit alongside an individual’s substantive job, just like the Speak up Guardians or Caldicot Guardian.

We are looking for colleagues who have skills and experience that include:

  • Have patient safety responsibilities as part of their substantive role, this can include being an SI lead or accountability for managing incidents
  • Be in a leadership role that is equivalent to a Band 8a or above
  • Be able to challenge at senior leadership and executive level
  • Be innovative and passionate about making a difference
  • Provide authentic leadership, visibility and support across the organisation.

You will have two days per week protected time to undertake the role. This will be supported by the Group, and your priorities will be to work with the existing patient safety team, governance, medical directors office and the chief nurse to embed the National Patient Safety strategy across our organisation. Training for the successful candidates will be provided by NHSEI and HEE.

Please see this advert, and if you feel that you would be interested in the role, please have a conversation with one of your Group triumvirate before contacting Claire Hubbard for further information, claire.hubbard2@nhs.net.

Expressions of interest are to be submitted by email to claire.hubbard2@nhs.net detailing how Patient Safety is currently part of your role and how you would support the roll out of the strategy, by midday on Friday 20 November. Interviews will take place week commencing 23 November and 30 November.

 

Unity tip of the week: Send us your suggestions

 

We are encouraging colleagues at all levels across the Trust to suggest any quick wins or top tips they have for using Unity in their ward, area or department.

We currently have an archive of tips which can be accessed by clicking here.

All suggestions are welcome so please get in touch! The best suggestions will be featured in our Unity Tip of the Week every Wednesday on Connect.

If you have a tip of the week please send it to swbh.unitytips@nhs.net.

Remembrance Day today

 

Today we mark Remembrance Day by sharing a message from our lead chaplain, Rev Mary Causer in this video, which also features our chaplains Joga Singh, Ebenezer Asaju and Rakesh Bhatt.

We are encouraging all colleagues to observe the two minute silence at 11am to remember those who have fallen for our country and those who continue to serve our country #LestWeForget #WeWillRememberThem

Unity Maintenance taking place on 12 November, 5am – 7am

 

There is essential maintenance to Unity taking place tomorrow (Thursday 12 November) in order for our supporting vendor Cerner to apply the latest security policies to the servers; this will result in Unity being unavailable for a very short period of time.

Colleagues will need to ensure they regularly save their work as in order for the updates to take effect the servers will be rebooted twice at approximately 5:17am and 5:42am.  We recommend colleagues log out of Unity prior to this to avoid being automatically disconnected and losing unsaved work. Colleagues will be able to log straight back in to Unity after each reboot.

Desktop alerts will be issued from 4:30am advising of the maintenance and once the maintenance is fully complete. Count down alerts will also be sent directly within Unity at 15, 10, 5 and 1 minute intervals prior to the reboots.

Please be assured the activity will be closely monitored at all times.

Do call the 24 hour IT service desk if you experience any prolonged issues during this time on ext. 4050 or 0121 507 4050 for home workers.

COVID-19 Bulletin: Tuesday 10 November

 

To keep up to date with the pace of change we will be sharing a bulletin on a daily basis. There’s a lot of change taking place at the moment so please make sure you catch up with the latest bulletins throughout the week, as even if some points seem familiar you may very well find the details have been updated a great deal.

 During this second lockdown restrictions, we must ensure we look after ourselves and others within our community. Make sure you keep in touch with those you love and your neighbours. People may well be feeling anxious, lonely and scared at this time. Thank you for looking out for one another.

  1. Hotel accommodation available, part of protecting you and others

Limited hotel rooms are available to support colleagues who may be at risk of being exposed to COVID-19 from people in their households. The accommodation can be used to help you remain at work so that you can stay in an environment away from a confirmed or positive COVID-19 case. We have accommodation available at:

  • Mercure Hotel, West Bromwich and
  • Holiday Inn Hotel, Snow Hill, Birmingham

To clarify, these hotel rooms are a resource for key staff to use to isolate themselves from symptomatic friends and family, to safeguard their wellbeing and to support their ability to continue providing safe and effective services.

The best ways to protect your friends and family from Coronavirus are to wear appropriate PPE and strictly adhere to the infection control procedures including regular and thorough handwashing.

Guidance for colleagues staying in hotel accommodation

Staying in a hotel, may obviously increase the risk of passing the virus between colleagues working in different environments. National guidance is that where possible:

  • Minimise time in communal areas of the hotel including receptions and corridors to reduce risk of infection to colleagues.
  • Where possible, to limit to 1 or 2 people at a time in lifts where possible, or to use the stairs if appropriate.
  • Ideally eat in your room. If meals are provided within the hotel, please try to sit at tables at least 2 metres apart from other residents in any bar or restaurant.

We will be working with the hotels and providing guidance so they are aware of this and are working to support you.

You can apply for the Trust funded hotel accommodation by emailing swbh.hotel-booking@nhs.net.

2. COVID-19 discharge pack

We have developed a discharge pack for patients recovering from COVID-19. It has guidance including how to manage symptoms and staying safe at home. Before discharging your patients, please ensure you explain the contents of the leaflet and ensure they have a copy to take home when they are discharged.

You can order copies of the leaflet by emailing medical illustration on swb-tr.SWBH-GM-MIorders@nhs.net quoting reference code ML6293.

3. Swabbing guidance on issues and pathways

An increasing number of COVID-19 swabs are being rejected from the laboratory, due to a number of issues. This may include a specimen leaking, incorrect swab received, or duplication of samples.

Our Infection Prevention and Control team has put together a document which lists common issues and the relevant solutions. Click here to read the full document.

We have now increased the availability of urgent and rapid PCR sampling from 16 to 92 samples per day. These have been allocated to respective areas and detailed in the PCR flowchart which can be accessed by clicking here.

Routine samples: It has been agreed that COVID-19 samples will be collected by porters from all wards, ED and AMU every hour at City and Sandwell from 8am to 8pm.

Urgent Samples: Urgent Samples must be hand delivered to the Pathology labs on each site immediately after being collected should have an ‘URGENT 2 Hour Covid Test’ sticker on them.

Overnight samples: Overnight samples (taken after 9pm) which are mainly taken in ED and AMU should be kept in these areas overnight to be collected by a porter during the early morning run at 5.30am. Please make sure that the sample is securely deposited in the MediBins provided. Urgent samples that have been collected overnight should be kept in a safe place and given to the porters when they do their 5.30am run. Do not leave any samples out on the side and remember that the MediBins are only for routine samples, urgent samples should be kept separate.

The transport timetable for transferring samples between sites can be found on the following link: Covid-19 Transport Timetable 2020

Urgent samples: Please ensure that the ‘Urgent 2 Hour TAT’ sticker is attached to the outer blue transport bag and is hand delivered to pathology reception. DO NOT put urgent samples into the MediBins.

Remember:

  • Every patient MUST be swabbed on admission.
  • Patients on Amber wards MUST be swabbed every five days.

Please refer to the following swabbing pathways for unplanned and planned admissions.

4. Asymptomatic testing for NHS staff

You may have seen in the news that the Government has announced twice weekly testing for NHS frontline staff. There are 34 trusts currently taking part in the pilot and SWBH is not one of those organisations.

It remains possible for colleagues to get asymptomatic testing via the SIREN study. The study specifically looks into the impact of antibodies that fight the virus which causes COVID-19. The study is open to anyone working in a hospital building where there will be contact, and those participating may have had the virus, or tested negative. Colleagues taking part in the study are regularly asked to complete a questionnaire and nose swabs. Blood samples are taken every two/four weeks for up to 12 months. For information on the SIREN study and details on how to join go to Connect.

To remind you swabbing for symptomatic colleagues remains available through our drive-through at City Hospital and Little Lane car park at Sandwell Hospital. Testing is available if you have been experiencing symptoms. You can book an appointment by calling the community contact centre on 0121 507 2664 option 5 Monday – Friday 8am – 6pm. On weekends call 07816 992873. Please do not just turn up!  You can read the staff swabbing and results process by clicking here.

5. Our wellbeing video and podcast library  

The wellbeing video and podcast library is still available on Connect.

The library also includes the collection of one minute resilience videos by Richard Burnell and some breathing relaxation videos by yoga teacher Christopher Randall.

6. Masks for inpatients

To provide added assurance around our Lilac/Amber ward changes, all inpatients (with exceptions including children under the age of 12, patients with dementia or anyone with a medical or psychological reason who is unable to) are required to wear a fluid resistant surgical face mask while they are out of bed for any reason, including sitting in a chair at their own bedside. Please promote patient hand hygiene as well. The reason for this is because of the rising number of asymptomatic patients that we are finding through our screening procedure. We simply must make every effort to provide as safe an environment as we can within our Trust. We will provide masks for patients which will be distributed to them along with an information leaflet on their admission to the ward.

Our infection prevention and control team have created a new information leaflet for patients with everything they need to know about our processes to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, whether they are admitted in an emergency or are coming to site for an appointment or treatment. The leaflet advises patients about the actions we take to prevent the spread of infections, and sign posts to further sources of reliable information. Every ward and department should now order a quantity of leaflets so they are available to give out to patients. They are available on Connect here or can be ordered in the normal way from medical illustration through the following email: swb-tr.SWBH-GM-MIorders@nhs.net.

Remembrance Day

 

Remembrance Day is tomorrow (Wednesday 11 November). As a Trust even though we cannot meet in the normal way, we wanted to make sure that we had opportunity to mark it along with the rest of the country.

Please watch out for the short film which will be shared on Connect, and our social media channels shortly before 11am tomorrow.

It includes an introduction from the Rev Mary Causer, whilst chaplains Joga Singh, Ebenezer Asaju and Rakesh Bhatt read the poem In Flanders Fields.

2020 BME Staff Network elections

 

Voting is still open for the position of Chair for the SWB BME Staff Network. The successful candidates will succeed Donna Mighty (Chair) and Mark Haynes (vice Chair) from January.

The candidates are for the posts are Trina Masi and Malik Umar. To find out more about the candidates why they believe they should lead the BME Network please see

BME Staff Network Elections 2020 information sheet

To cast your vote please email swb-tr.SWBH-GM-EqualityDiversity@nhs.net stating clearly who you want to vote for by 13 November.

COVID-19 Bulletin: Monday 9 November

 

To keep up to date with the pace of change we will be sharing a bulletin on a daily basis. There’s a lot of change taking place at the moment so please make sure you catch up with the latest bulletins throughout the week, as even if some points seem familiar you may very well find the details have been updated a great deal.

 During this second lockdown restrictions, we must ensure we look after ourselves and others within our community. Make sure you keep in touch with those you love and your neighbours. People may well be feeling anxious, lonely and scared at this time. Thank you for looking out for one another.

  1. NHS track and trace app – know what to do

As you know the NHS has launched their COVID-19 contact tracing app designed to help the NHS understand where and how quickly the virus is spreading, so we can respond quickly and effectively. You may have seen posters featuring QR codes for people with the app to ‘sign in’ at selected locations across our sites, but there has been some question as to whether Trust staff using the app should sign in at our locations.

The recommendation from the NHS is that health or care workers should pause the app when:

  • You are at work following infection prevention and control (IPC) guidance.
  • You are wearing correct PPE at work and maintaining 2m social distancing in clinical and non-clinical areas.
  • You are working behind a fixed Perspex (or equivalent) screen and are fully protected from other people.
  • You store your phone in a locker or communal area.

What to do if you receive an alert

If you receive an alert through the app stating that you are considered a contact of a case of COVID-19, you should immediately inform your manager and self-isolate. You should complete a risk assessment with your line manager to understand the occasions where you may have been in close contact with a patient or member of staff who has tested positive for COVID-19. As the app is anonymised, it will not be apparent whether your contact occurred within or outside the Trust setting. Where there are cases of transmission of the virus within the Trust we will carry out our own contact tracing processes.

You can read the latest government guidance for healthcare workers by clicking here.

2. Don’t delay, get fit tested today

Do you wear the Alpha Solway, or 3M 1863 mask?

If so, due to a change in our stock, it is important you act NOW to get fit tested for a replacement. It is critical that colleagues stay up to date with the availability of masks that they have been fit tested for, so if you wear the Alpha Solway, or 3M 1863 mask please ensure you book into a face mask fit testing clinic as soon as possible. If you need a fit test, for a silicone or disposable FFP3 mask in stock (3m 1863+ or 9330+ mask), these are your options:

Non-urgent – please call ext.5050. There is currently a wait time of approximately one week, you will be asked when your next shift is and your appointment will be offered to you on that basis. Please ensure you book in good time, and please attend your appointment – we have too many DNAs!

If you need urgent on the day testing, contact the IPC team on 5195 and they will facilitate the earliest possible test for you or your staff member.

There are two machines in the bungalow behind City ED. If you have a fit tester in your team, you can book out the machines via the IPC team on 5195 to fit test your teams.

Fit testing will be changing at Sandwell effective today (Monday 9 November). You will now be seen in the Hallam Restaurant in the room to the right as you enter the building.

Please help us to ensure that a lack of planning does not become someone else’s emergency, by planning ahead as much as possible and ensuring you attend all booked appointments. If you cannot attend the appointment you have been given for your fit testing, please ensure you cancel your appointment in good time.

3. Reporting hospital acquired COVID-19

We are now required to report all incidences of hospital acquired COVID-19 as a patient safety incident both locally and nationally. The aim is to share any emerging understanding on how and why infection has occurred.

Please see the pathway which details the process to follow for reporting, reviewing and investigating hospital-onset COVID-19 cases and COVID-19 deaths. You are also encouraged to read the guidance provided by NHS England and NHS Improvement.

The Root Cause Analysis tool is available on Connect.

4. Replenishing PPE stations outside ward areas  

Just a reminder that the wards are responsible for the stocking up of the dani-centres/PPE stations (which include aprons and gloves) outside the ward. Previously the PPE wardens and/or volunteers had helped to top these up but the wardens and volunteers have now all returned to their original roles.

For further information or assistance please email the procurement team:

5. Looking after your wellbeing; Pause and join in with mindful yoga with Chris

There is now a collection of up to 12 yoga videos on Connect as part of the “Mindful Yoga with Chris” series. The most recent additions are designed to help colleagues relax and switch-off after work. There are multiple benefits of yoga both mentally and physically as it may help reduce stress and improve relaxation levels.

Click here to access all the episodes including the latest session.

6. Face masks to be worn in all Trust buildings at all times

Alongside social distancing and stringent hand hygiene, there is now a requirement to ensure you are wearing a face mask in all Trust buildings at all times whether in a clinical setting or office.

Steps for all colleagues to take:

  1. All colleagues will need to wear a fluid resistant surgical face mask while inside all SWBH buildings. Masks are available at the welcome stations in the main entrances to each clinical building. Alternatively departments can order and collect masks from stores.
  2. A mask needs to be worn throughout the duration of the time spent in the SWBH buildings.
  3. When leaving work it is essential that masks are disposed of safely when finished. In non-clinical areas they can be disposed of in a black bag waste bin. PPE disposal process in clinical areas remains unchanged. Remember to maintain frequent handwashing/ sanitising at all times.
  4. Face masks must be worn at all times unless you are working in a room on your own. If you leave that area for any reason, you MUST immediately wear a mask. This includes corridors, communal areas.

Wear your mask properly

Masks only work if they are worn properly, we have all seen people wear masks in some truly bizarre ways.

The instruction here is simple – your mask should cover your mouth and your nose.

 Protecting your skin from damage beneath PPE

If you are finding that your masks are uncomfortable or are causing you issues with your skin, please take the time to read the helpful guidance produced by the tissue viability team for colleagues to protect and treat skin from damage beneath PPE.

 

Crisp packet collection to support the homeless

 

Our cancer services team are collecting crisp packets to support the homeless. These packets will then passed on to the ”Iron Man” project who will turn recycle and turn them into to blanket insulation for the homeless.

If you wish to support this fantastic cause please drop off your crisp packets to cancer services Sandwell, Hallam Building before Thursday 3 December.

Did you know: It takes 80 years for a crisp packet to decompose.150 packets can be ironed together and turned into a survival blanket and put into a sleeping bag to keep it dry and insulated.

For more information please email jennifer.donovan@nhs.net or call ext. 2776.

Looking after your wellbeing: Pause and join in with mindful yoga with Chris

 

There is now a collection of up to 12 yoga videos on Connect as part of the “Mindful Yoga with Chris” series. The most recent additions are designed to help colleagues relax and switch-off after work.

There are multiple benefits of yoga both mentally and physically as it may help reduce stress and improve relaxation levels.

Click here to access all the episodes including the latest session.

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