01/06/2012
Report Highlights CPR Decisions For Acutely-Ill Patients
A watchdog has found that cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has wrongly been the default setting for frail elderly patients.
The National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death, which reviewed the care given to 585 acutely-ill patients with an average age of 77, ended up having a cardiac arrest, found it had wrongly become default. They said it should be assessed if resuscitation is necessary.
The review of hospitals in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, found staff were not properly assessing patients conditions and were failing to spot the warning signs of an impending cardiac arrest with over a third being preventable.
Performing CPR in inappropriate cases could result in a distressing and undignified death, the report found.
Details CPR preference was recorded in the notes of only 122 patients of these there were 52 cases where doctors had performed resuscitation on patients who had explicitly said they did not want it.
NCEPOD chairman Bertie Leigh said: "We are at a crossroads. All of us need to recognise and accept the limits of what can be achieved in medicine to the benefit of the patient."
Katherine Murphy, of the Patients Association, added: "Patients and relatives deserve to have all of their options communicated to them in full and then to take the decision that they feel is best for them.
"Once that decision has been taken, they should be able to trust clinicians to implement it."
(GK)
The National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death, which reviewed the care given to 585 acutely-ill patients with an average age of 77, ended up having a cardiac arrest, found it had wrongly become default. They said it should be assessed if resuscitation is necessary.
The review of hospitals in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, found staff were not properly assessing patients conditions and were failing to spot the warning signs of an impending cardiac arrest with over a third being preventable.
Performing CPR in inappropriate cases could result in a distressing and undignified death, the report found.
Details CPR preference was recorded in the notes of only 122 patients of these there were 52 cases where doctors had performed resuscitation on patients who had explicitly said they did not want it.
NCEPOD chairman Bertie Leigh said: "We are at a crossroads. All of us need to recognise and accept the limits of what can be achieved in medicine to the benefit of the patient."
Katherine Murphy, of the Patients Association, added: "Patients and relatives deserve to have all of their options communicated to them in full and then to take the decision that they feel is best for them.
"Once that decision has been taken, they should be able to trust clinicians to implement it."
(GK)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
22 September 2008
Scottish Government Pledges Cap On Surgery Waiting Times
Scottish patients may soon have a legal guarantee that they will wait no longer than 12 weeks for surgery. The Scottish Government's Patient Rights Bill proposes a strict limit on how long they have to wait from their surgical referral to receiving their operation.
Scottish Government Pledges Cap On Surgery Waiting Times
Scottish patients may soon have a legal guarantee that they will wait no longer than 12 weeks for surgery. The Scottish Government's Patient Rights Bill proposes a strict limit on how long they have to wait from their surgical referral to receiving their operation.
14 August 2014
30 Women Recalled For Breast Screening Over Doctor Concerns
Up to 30 women are to be recalled for breast cancer screenings after five patients treated by the same doctor developed the disease. Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust has identified the group of 30 women from a total of 626 that were seen between 2011 and 2014. It is understood that the women need "urgent appointments" for reassessment.
30 Women Recalled For Breast Screening Over Doctor Concerns
Up to 30 women are to be recalled for breast cancer screenings after five patients treated by the same doctor developed the disease. Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust has identified the group of 30 women from a total of 626 that were seen between 2011 and 2014. It is understood that the women need "urgent appointments" for reassessment.
04 May 2004
Birmingham trust nominated to run £1.8m genetics centre
Birmingham Women's Healthcare Trust have won a bid to run the new Genetics Education and Development Centre. The Centre, which will educate NHS staff about genetics and the role it plays in modern healthcare, is part of the Government's wider £50 million strategy to make sure that patients benefit from the latest developments in genetic knowledge.
Birmingham trust nominated to run £1.8m genetics centre
Birmingham Women's Healthcare Trust have won a bid to run the new Genetics Education and Development Centre. The Centre, which will educate NHS staff about genetics and the role it plays in modern healthcare, is part of the Government's wider £50 million strategy to make sure that patients benefit from the latest developments in genetic knowledge.
22 March 2013
Study Finds Remote Care More Expensive
Remote monitoring of long-term care patients has been found to be less cost effective, according to a UK trial. Some 1,000 patients were involved in the British Medical Journal study, which indicated the total costs for those using "tele-health" were higher.
Study Finds Remote Care More Expensive
Remote monitoring of long-term care patients has been found to be less cost effective, according to a UK trial. Some 1,000 patients were involved in the British Medical Journal study, which indicated the total costs for those using "tele-health" were higher.
06 November 2015
Investigation Launched After Patient Dies In Glasgow Hospital
An investigation has been launched following the death of a patient at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, it has been reported. According to a report by the Daily Record newspaper, it was claimed an "elderly man" died on a trolley in a corridor at the hospital earlier this week.
Investigation Launched After Patient Dies In Glasgow Hospital
An investigation has been launched following the death of a patient at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, it has been reported. According to a report by the Daily Record newspaper, it was claimed an "elderly man" died on a trolley in a corridor at the hospital earlier this week.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.