Health Sciences’ work wins Patient Safety Award

The awards were presented at the prestigious Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London, in tandem with the 2nd Care Integration Awards.

Attended by over 1,000 leaders in the patient safety industry, the awards brought together both the key players and the ones to watch in this ever growing sector.

Project lead and clinical academic, Dr Jacqui Prieto, and her Infection Prevention Team including Julie Brooks (Head of Infection Prevention Unit) and Vivienne O'Connor (Infection Prevention Nurse) won the award for their work to reduce catheter-associated urinary tract infection (UTS).

The winning project was undertaken in response to both patient safety concerns in relation to healthcare associated infection risk and local and national drivers related to catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) reduction.

The initiative has significantly improved patient care and safety. It has resulted in an increased awareness amongst clinical teams of the importance of reducing CAUTI and interventions have become embedded as routine practice in the Trust. 

Dr Prieto said of the news: "We are delighted to have won this award.  It recognises all the work we have achieved in the Trust during the last two years to minimise the risk of catheter-associated urinary tract infection, the second most common healthcare associated infection in hospitals in England.  We are continuing to advance our programme of quality improvement and research to benefit patients and deliver cost-effective care."

Judy Gillow, Director of Nursing at UHS, said: "This project is leading edge and benefits patients as well as reducing the cost of catheters.  It is a wonderful example of quality improvement aligned with cost effectiveness.  I am so proud of what the team has achieved."

Jenni Middleton, Editor of Nursing Times commented: "You have accomplished something truly special - your efforts have given your patients and their families and friends a better experience, a safer experience, a more integrated experience of healthcare."