Winner

University Hospitals of North Midlands Trust: Mechanical Thrombectomy in Stroke – Produces Improved Clinical Outcomes and Cost Benefits

University Hospitals of North Midlands Trust has introduced a new mechanical clot extracting interventional technique for patients with strokes. The previous gold standard treatment – thrombolysis – was only effective in 15-20 per cent of patients with large vessel occlusive strokes, and patients with severe strokes have an average stay of 90 days in a stroke unit, costing over £31,000 per patient.

Thrombectomy gives clinicians more time to treat suitable stroke patients and lead to miraculous recoveries – but needs several departments to work together to deliver it. The project was implemented with input from interventional neuroradiology, stroke, anaesthetics, accident and emergency and ITU teams.

The new technique has reduced the mortality rate from 40 per cent to 17 per cent of the 350 patients treated. It has also reduced the hospital stay of patients from 90 days to 14 days, and 90 per cent of patients are now discharged home (previously 60 per cent) rather than to a nursing home.

Using data from the trust, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has estimated that trusts could achieve savings of £2.4 million annually, due to shortened hospital stays and savings from ongoing social care costs. The cost saving model published by NICE is being used by other NHS organisations to help develop this service, and University Hospitals of North Midlands Trust has run a “centre of excellence” programme and has also facilitated visits from other trusts to aid development.

Read a detailed case study about this project at HSJ Solutions 

Finalists

  • NHS Practitioner Health Service: Practitioner Health Service – HIGHLY COMMENDED
  • Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals Trust: Streamlining the Unilateral Tinnitus Patient Pathway
  • Central London Community Healthcare Trust: Clinic U (Sexual Health Services for LGBTQ* People)
  • Dorset HealthCare University Foundation Trust: Redesign of the Criminal Justice Liaison and Diversion Service in combination with Street Triage
  • Guy’s and St Thomas’ FT: South East London Neuronavigation Service
  • Leicestershire Partnership Trust: Embedding the Enriched Model of Dementia Care on inpatient wards
  • Medway Maritime Hospital FT: Effect of Triaging of Spinal Referrals
  • Nottingham Breast Institute, Nottingham University Hospitals Trust: Relieving the pain of the breast new referral clinic
  • Psycho-Oncology Support Team, Dimbleby Cancer Care, Guy’s and St Thomas’ FT: From small acorns oak trees grow: an opt-in pilot for accessing psychological therapy in cancer
  • St George’s University Hospitals FT: St George’s Hospital Hyperacute Neurology Service

 

Topics

Winners of 2018 HSJ Value Awards revealed