More hospital beds across the North East and Yorkshire were occupied in the week ending January 12 than at any other point this winter, with 94 percent occupancy of adult general and acute hospital beds.
According to new data, there were 16,974 beds in use, with one in seven (2,270) of these taken up by patients who were fit to be discharged.
As a result, the Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust (NLaG) have implemented the ‘Flow’ project, which focuses on reducing unnecessary hospital stays and admissions and was first launched in July last year.
The project will streamline every stage of a patient’s progress from Emergency Departments until they are well enough to be discharged from Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby or Scunthorpe General Hospital.
Discussing how the ‘Flow’ project works, a spokesperson for NLaG said last year: “Specialist AI software will be introduced where available to prepare X-ray reports or read blood test results to create tailored treatment, freeing doctors to provide more “hands-on” patient care, and teams will share ideas and best practice to improve patient flow throughout the hospitals.
“Rapid assessments will be undertaken by consultants as soon as seriously ill or injured patients arrive at Emergency Departments, with patients moving to specialist assessment units for same day treatment and short stay admissions or transferring to wards for hospital care lasting longer than three days.
““Patient Packs” will be issued within 24 hours of arrival at hospital, outlining expected treatment such as scans, tests or surgery and estimated dates of discharge.
“Enhanced board rounds will review every patient daily before 10am to check treatment is on track, discharge dates are appropriate and patients going home can be moved to Patient Discharge Lounges.
“Nursing and medical staff, therapists and pharmacists will coordinate care with teams in transport, portering and administration so people can go home as soon as they are well enough, avoiding health complications linked to lengthy hospital stays.
“Community health providers, mental health teams, local authorities and home care services will work with the hospital group to provide home care packages and minimise delays in getting people out of hospital as part of the region-wide project, supported by Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care System.”
Caroline Wood, Director of Operations and Delivery, said: “Our teams across the region have worked tirelessly to innovate and streamline patient discharge processes. These initiatives are not only reducing delays but also improving patient experience by ensuring people get home or to the next stage of their care more efficiently. This work reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional care while optimising resources to meet increasing demand.”
Original artice: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/all-about/scunthorpe
