HSJ Patient Safety Awards 2018: Best Patient Safety Initiative in A&E

Winner

Healthy London Partnership and Metropolitan Police Service: Handover process for voluntary mental health patients in emergency departments

In 2017, an independent investigation into a London murder case concerning a mentally ill patient who had absconded from accident and emergency was finalised. It concluded there was a need for better handover when police attend A&E accompanying someone with mental health needs.

Healthy London Partnership worked in partnership with the Metropolitan Police to develop just such a process, to be used when a patient voluntarily attends the emergency department with an officer.

It involves a handover form with details about the individual, including any substance misuse; the reason for their attendance at A&E; and any suicidal thoughts.

There is also a verbal handover, to ensure the individual’s circumstances and needs are fully understood by all parties.

Once complete, one copy of the form is kept by the police and the other by healthcare staff.

In the emergency departments that have piloted the new process, there has been an 82 per cent reduction in missing persons reports.

To read this entry in full visit HSJ Solutions.

Click here for more details on the HSJ Patient Safety Awards 2018.

Finalists

Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals Trust: Prompt cards in the emergency department – Highly commended
Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals Trust: Single clerking – prioritising safety and efficiency in A&E and the acute floor
Cambridge University Hospitals Foundation Trust: Using digital technology to provide faster access to sepsis care and treatment
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board: Managing nutritional risk at the front door – the introduction of a dietetic service to the emergency unit
Colchester Hospital University Foundation Trust: Recognition of the deteriorating child in ED
Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust: SIM-PLE (Simulation – Patient Led Education)
University Hospitals Bristol Foundation Trust: Emergency department high impact user team
Wythenshawe Hospital, Central Manchester University Hospitals Foundation Trust: The Matthew Clock/Chart – a low cost tool for emergency care