This study has demonstrated that it is feasible within the Scottish NHS to routinely collect meaningful outcomes data in schizophrenia. Patient-reported assessments were also successfully collected and used in care plans. This model shows that it is possible to incorporate patient-reported assessments into routine care for schizophrenia. Such assessments may provide useful data for clinicians and may improve treatment adherence. The pattern of outcomes and interventions confirms that despite the introduction of guidelines, new treatments, and new services, people with schizophrenia continue to have high levels of chronic disability.
This study has demonstrated that it is feasible within the Scottish NHS to routinely collect meaningful outcomes data in schizophrenia. Patient-reported assessments were also successfully collected and used in care plans. This model shows that it is possible to incorporate patient-reported assessments into routine care for schizophrenia. Such assessments may provide useful data for clinicians and may improve treatment adherence. The pattern of outcomes and interventions confirms that despite the introduction of guidelines, new treatments, and new services, people with schizophrenia continue to have high levels of chronic disability.
The impact of pressure ulcers is psychologically, physically and clinically challenging for both patients and NHS staff. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHS GGC), in line with the Scottish Best Practice Statement for the Prevention and Management of Pressure Ulcers ( Quality Improvement Scotland, 2009 ), and the NHS Health Improvement Scotland (2011) Preventing Pressure Ulcers Change Package, launched an awareness campaign throughout the organisation in April 2012 and has more recently adopted a 'zero-tolerance' approach to pressure damage. The tissue viability service in NHS GGC recognised that in order to achieve this aim, education of front-line staff is essential. An educational framework for pressure ulcer prevention was developed for all levels of healthcare staff involved in the delivery of patient care. As a means to support the framework, an initiative to develop web-based eLearning modules has been taken forward. This has resulted in the creation of an accessible, cost-effective, stimulating, relevant, and evidence-based education programme designed around the educational needs of all healthcare staff. In conjunction with the organisation's 'top ten tools' for pressure ulcer prevention and management, the modular online education programme addresses the aims of quality improvement and zero tolerance by supporting the provision of safe and effective person-centered care.
National Health Service (NHS) Scotland is taking a national approach to improving the quality and safety of mental health services. This programme relies on implementing integrated care pathways (ICPs) for people with mental health conditions across the whole journey of care.
This long-term improvement programme has started with the publication of national standards by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (NHS QIS), setting out the framework of what needs to be developed in each local area.
The emphasis of development and implementation of the ICPs lies with local NHS Boards to ensure they are developed with local ownership and to meet the needs of the local population. However, to ensure accreditation by NHS QIS, the local ICPs must incorporate the national standards and evidence improvement to the quality of care provided.
A concerted effort has been made to ensure good involvement of service users, social work colleagues and NHS staff in order to get buy-in from all stakeholders.
NHS QIS is also supporting local boards and their partner agencies in their implementation of ICPs through a team of National ICP Coordinators and has developed a web-based toolkit to act as an electronic resource: . This supportive and facilitative approach helped to ensure that person-centred care was driving service redesign.
This is the beginning of a long-term improvement programme that has been carefully staged and is being facilitated in order to give it the best chance for success. In Scotland, ICPs for mental health are being used as a tool for service redesign and continuous quality improvement and a way to focus on meeting service user needs.
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