Skip to content Skip to main menu Skip to utility menu

Monthly archives: February 2024

Refeeding and adult parenteral nutrition guidelines

 

Colleagues who need to access the latest refeeding and adult parenteral nutrition guidelines, can access these documents below:

 

Update: New urine tubes

 

As you may be aware, we recently introduced new urine tubes across SWB. The new urine tubes are primary urine containers that replace (in the majority of circumstances) the old white and red topped universal containers.

Though we introduced the urine tubes, we are experiencing some issues in specialist chemistry and in particular toxicology around the rollout of the new urine tubes.

These sample types are not currently validated for Specialist Chemistry urine requests, in particular, drugs of abuse testing. Labels generated from Unity still state that staff need to take white top urine universals for these requests. However, a significant number of new urine tubes are being received which cannot be accepted.

With this in mind we must remind clinical colleagues to the take sample type displayed on the label and as specialist chemistry (including toxicology) are unable to accept the new style urine tubes for analysis staff should be sending white top urine universals. Staff need to check the printed Unity label to see what tube is required and collect accordingly.

For further details, please below information sheets:

For more information please email  rwh-tr.bcps@nhs.net

iRefer CDS – continuous improvement

 

iRefer CDS has now been live at SWB for 12 weeks. The system uses the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) guidelines to support clinical decision making and help ensure our patients receive the most appropriate investigation.

To date, iRefer CDS has provided guidance and recommendations for over 48,000 Imaging requests and has resulted in over 2,500 requests being cancelled or changed, at the point of request, to a more appropriate investigation based on the decision support provided.

Whilst the RCR guideline catalogue is comprehensive, we are continuing to improve and add to the indications list and associated guidance to ensure the system works as best as possible for us.

As part of this, the iRefer CDS project group will be meeting with specialties over the next 6 months to look at the most common indications and to create and/or amend guidance and recommendations that appear within iRefer CDS. It is important to develop clinical engagement to ensure all pathways are available within the system.

In addition to this, using the “Submit Free Text” button within iRefer CDS flags where an indication and guidance needs to be created or amended and helps change and improve the system for future requests.

If the primary reason you require does not appear via the search bar, please type the reason in full and submit as free text using the orange “Submit Free Text” button as shown below.

Please do not choose a reason that is not relevant. Putting irrelevant information into the system could introduce clinical risk at both the vetting and reporting stages.

Should you have any other feedback on how we can continue to improve the system, please use the submit feedback button on the left side of the window.

Further information is available on Connect

Emergency Pulse VPN maintenance this morning Tuesday 13 February from 11am to 6pm

 

Please be aware emergency Pulse VPN maintenance will be taking place this morning Tuesday 13 February from 11am to 6pm due to an urgent NHS England security requirement to ensure the Trust’s VPN remote access remains secure and stable. The work is being carried out by IT and is scheduled to begin at 11am and should be completed by 6pm.

During this time colleagues using Pulse VPN may experience a brief disconnection and may be forcibly logged off the system but will be able to log straight back in.

The activity will be closely monitored by our IT support teams.

As always, should you have any further queries please do contact the IT Service Desk on ext. 4050 or 0121 507 4050 or via Chat with the IT Service Desk.

Loves and ashes: Speak the truth of love – join us in celebrating Ash Wednesday

 

On Wednesday 14 February, Ash Wednesday will be celebrated as this marks the beginning of Lent which is a 40-day season (not counting Sundays). It is marked by repentance, fasting, reflection, and ultimately celebration.

The chaplaincy team would like to offer the opportunity for colleagues to be able to observe this tradition. The team will be offering the blessing of ashes (a sign of the cross on your forehead) as well as a simple one-line prayer before administering the ash.

Please see times and locations below:

  • Sandwell Chapel, 12.30pm – 1.30pm (will visit Sandwell wards between 1.30pm – 2.30pm)
  • City Chapel, 12.30pm – 1.30pm (will visit City wards between 1.30pm – 2.30pm)
  • Rowley Regis, 12.30pm – 1pm (will visit Rowley wards between 11.30am – 12.30pm)
  • Leasowes, 1.30pm – 2.30pm

On the same day (Valentine’s Day), the chaplaincy team will also be hosting a stand at Sandwell main reception between 10am – 12pm to increase awareness with its spiritual care services.

For more information please call ext. 3552 or email eddie.briones@nhs.net.

Sad passing of Anthony Hinton

 

It is with great sadness that one of our much-loved colleagues Anthony (Tony) Hinton, Charge Nurse has sadly passed away.

Tony worked at City Hospital since 1997, with the last 20 years spent working on critical care. He was a very highly thought of member of staff by all that worked with him. He was never phased by anything that would have challenged most in critical care, but instead came with solutions to any problems he faced whilst also supporting his colleagues.

Tony was well known for his love of tea, Aston Villa, history, literature, classical music and swimming. Tony will be greatly missed.

Funeral details: Tony’s family have requested his funeral to be kept to close friends and family, however they have arranged to have the funeral screened live at City and Sandwell sites at 12pm on Thursday 15 February for colleagues who wish to attend. Please contact Nokuthula.sileya@nhs.net for more details.

We offer our sincere condolences to his wife and two sons.

Tracheostomy education sessions

 

The Professional development nurse’s from the tracheostomy cohort wards are offering tracheostomy education sessions on the following dates:

  • Wednesday 3 April: City postgraduate centre, 9am – 12pm
  • Wednesday 1 May: Sandwell education centre, 9am – 12pm
  • Wednesday 5 June: City postgraduate centre, 9am – 12pm
  • Wednesday 3 July: Sandwell education centre, 12pm – 3pm

Please email swbh.acutemedicinepdn@nhs.net if you would like book a space.

Telephone triage training supports assessment of cancer patients

 

Colleagues working with oncology and haematology patients can now access free online training to help utilise the UK Oncology Nurses Society (UKONS) triage tool in everyday practice.

The UKONS 24- Hour Triage Tool is a risk assessment tool that uses a red, amber and green (RAG) scoring system to identify and prioritise the presenting problems of patients contacting 24-hour advice lines. The aim of the new training is to provide a standardised programme that can be used as a basis for this specific triage process. The free training also provides generic information and guidance relating to organisational governance and the safe delivery of telephone assessment.

The elearning will be useful for all staff who undertake telephone assessment of cancer patients across secondary care, primary care and volunteer organisations (including service managers and practice educators).

You don’t need a healthcare email address to register, which means colleagues from third sector and voluntary organisations can access the training for free. Simply visit the UKONS Telephone Triage training programme page on the NHS Learning Hub to register and find out more.

Expect delays: M5 between junction 1 and junction 2 maintenance work from Monday

 

Essential bridge joint repair work on the M5 between junction 1 and junction 2 will be taking place  between 9pm – 6am, from Monday 12 February – Saturday 17 February.

From Monday 12 February – Friday 16 February the M5 southbound junction 1 to junction 2 will be totally closed and on Saturday 17 February the M5 northbound junction 2 to junction 1 total closure.

During closures fully signed diversion routes will be in place however we advise colleagues to plan in advance and allow extra time when travelling to and from hospital sites during this period.

Treatments for COVID-19 – adults and children over 12 years of age

 

The NHS offers outpatient treatment to people with COVID-19 who are at the highest risk of becoming seriously ill and have mild symptoms which do not require admission to hospital. This is provided by the COVID-19 Medicines delivery unit (CMDU)

These treatments can reduce the chance of you getting seriously ill from COVID-19 and need to be given within five days after you start to have symptoms.

CMDU provide treatments for your patients at the highest risk across the Black Country that have tested positive for COVID-19.

How your patients can get treatment:

If your patient has tested positive for COVID-19 on a lateral flow test and you think they may be at highest risk of becoming seriously ill, you can access an assessment you can phone the CMDU directly on 07775752740 between 8am and 4pm Monday to Friday or rwh-tr.cmdu.wolverhampton@nhs.net.

Find out more about people at the highest risk who are eligible for treatment by clicking here.

← Older items Newer items →