New Look Coming soon… The Quality Observatory, South East Coast Strategic Health Authority quality.observatory@southeastcoast.nhs.uk nww.sec.nhs.uk/knowledge
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 2
Research into practice
3
Paired HRG Tool
3
Stroke dashboard update
4
Safety in numbers
6 7 8
Page from the Patch HPSU Staff survey Skills Builder – the Data Driving the Dashboard
10
From here to maternity…
11
A : Ask an Analyst
12 13
3
Length of stay benchmarking tools Linking post-coded data to a higher geography
14
News
15
Data Quality Update
16
Events & Quick Quiz
Fascinating Fact You would expect there to be more Birth records than Delivery records. So it’s concerning that in the 11 months Apr 08 – Feb 09 that nationally, in SUS, there were 529,083 deliveries, but only 498,209 births.
April 2009 Volume 3 Issue 1
Welcome to Knowledge Matters By Samantha Riley
Welcome to the first issue of volume 3 of Knowledge Matters – it’s hard to believe that’s it’s our 2nd birthday and that our very first edition was published in May 2007! Since the February issue, the results of the recent consultation on clinical quality indicators have been published. The aim of the survey (undertaken by the NHS Information Centre at the end of 2008) was to begin identifying existing quality indicators currently in use within the NHS. The report sets out the results of the survey of around 400 indicators and identifies the 290 indicators that received a very high endorsement score (see page 14 for how to obtain a copy of the full report). The Quality Observatory are now considering the best way in which we can publish benchmarking information for this broad range of indicators and I would be keen to hear views from clinicians with regards to how we can best undertake this function. Along side this, we are working with colleagues across the SHA to consider the implications of the Healthcare Commission’s investigation into Mid Staffordshire Foundation Trust and how we might adapt elements of our analysis and benchmarking to reflect the lessons learnt. Again, I would be keen to hear your ideas and suggestions on this topic. In this issue you will read about a number of new tools that have been developed which benchmark length of stay and differences in the ratio of coding for different HRGs. Over the coming months, we are keen to design a range of additional tools which evidence the variation in efficiency and productivity and makes the critical links to quality of care - quality and efficiency need to be viewed hand in hand. A number of Trusts and PCTs have invited me to meet key staff groups to discuss the Quality Observatory, describe what our function is, the information that is currently available and all importantly the type of information that is required by the local NHS. I am more than happy to come and visit teams across the patch and will also be setting up quarterly Quality Observatory workshops which will provide an opportunity for on-going dialogue, discussion and information sharing. I’d like to finish with some really good news. The CHKS awards took place earlier this week. Six Trusts from South East Coast were in the top 40 hospitals. Medway NHS Foundation Trust also received the ‘Most Improved Hospital’ award. This award rewards continuous improvement in clinical effectiveness, efficiency, health outcomes and quality of care, and is presented to the Trust showing the most significant improvement across all of the 40 Top indicators. I’ll see you in June if not before! Samantha Riley