HSJ Patient Safety Awards 2017: Best Product or Innovation for Patient Safety - Public Sector

NHS cardiothoracic frontline staff designed and implemented a bespoke cardiothoracic support wear (bra) for female patients requiring median sternotomy and developed an accompanying training package. Using a quality improvement approach, they were able to demonstrate a reduction in surgical site infection in female patients and improved patient experience. They are launching the “BHIS postoperative bra” in January 2017 for other cardiothoracic centres and for direct patient purchase.

The judging panel felt that this project has real potential to make an outstanding contribution to patient care and the practice of tissue viability.