Eating with Colour:An Audit Investigating the Effect of Coloured Plates on Nutritional Intake in Patients with Dementia
Background Dementia is a syndrome of chronic progressive degeneration of the brain. Dementia causes reduced ability to self-feed due to problems with: swallow, apraxia and visuospatial dysfunction. Malnutrition in dementia patients is associated with delirium, longer admissions and functional decline. Aim To improve food intake in patients with dementia by 25% through the introduction of high-contrast coloured crockery on a Care of the Elderly ward. Methods Food charts were used on Care of the Elderly wards to assess food intake. In Cycle 1, coloured plates were introduced on Ward A, with pre
Abstract title : Clinical Leadership in Pathways using Care Providers: Improving Flow, Experience, and Efficiency for Frail Older Adults
Abstract title : Clinical Leadership in Pathways using Care Providers: Improving Flow, Experience, and Efficiency for Frail Older Adults Introduction: Frail older adults are often discharged from hospital with complex needs into community care services. Without senior clinical oversight, many experience fragmented care, delayed reviews, inappropriate care planning, and avoidable readmissions. This project evaluated the impact of introducing clinical leadership into a care provider pathway designed to deliver short-term, post-discharge domiciliary care. Methods: Over 11 weeks, 51 patients were
Thinking about the future: a QI project to educate and improve the understanding of advance care planning in the AMU.
Thinking about the future: a QI project to educate and improve the understanding of advance care planning in the AMU.
Optimising Neck of Femur Fractures Surgical Timing for Improved Patient Outcomes: An excellence of service Clinical Audit
Background: Hip fractures represent a significant global health burden, leading to substantial morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Delays in surgical intervention are consistently linked to poorer patient outcomes. This audit aimed to evaluate and enhance hip fracture management at Southampton General Hospital (SGH) through targeted quality improvement initiatives. Methods: An interventional clinical audit was conducted at SGH, a Major Trauma Centre, comparing a pre-intervention period (December 2023 – March 2024; n=272 patients) with a post-intervention period (September 2024 –
Increasing the accuracy of stool chart completion in geriatric medicine wards: A Quality Improvement Project
Enhancing Parkinson’s Disease Care in Care Homes: A Scoping Review of Staff Education and Training Interventions
Introduction Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common and fastest-growing neurodegenerative condition globally. Many older adults with PD reside in care homes, where staff may lack the necessary training to manage the condition effectively. This scoping review aimed to examine the evidence on education and training interventions for care home staff in relation to PD care. Method A scoping review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR framework. Six databases were searched for empirical studies focused on PD-related training or education for care home staff. Inclusion
A Quality Improvement Project examining standards of Advance Care planning and outcomes of Fast Track Discharges
Introduction: The British Geriatric Society has been a forerunner in describing the potential benefits of a comprehensive geriatric assessment and advance care planning for all patients and focusing on wellbeing strategies for this vulnerable patient group. QIP project was undertaken with the aim to look at the fast track discharges and advance care planning documentation in accordance with the EOL care strategy 2008. Through reviews of individual cases, it is thought that advance care plans (with recognition and interventions for patients thought to be in their last year of life) would
A quality improvement project: improving the rates of pain assessment when altering analgesia on an older adult inpatient psychiatry ward
Evaluating the impact of implementing additional hours of Frailty Services in the Emergency Department
QIP IN MANAGING AKI IN POST OPERATIVE FEMUR FRACTURE AND OTHER ORTHOPAEDIC PATIENTS
Improving Clinical Frailty Score Documentation in Oncology Wards
Improving nurse-led bone health assessment in a Multidisciplinary Parkinson’s Clinic
Introduction Parkinson’s disease increases fracture risk due to higher fall rates and increased osteoporosis prevalence. This two-cycle bone health audit assessed adherence to the BONE-PARK algorithm at Florence Nightingale Community Hospital’s Parkinson’s clinic and evaluated improvements over 12 months. Methods Fifty patient records were reviewed to assess bone health management, focusing on fracture risk assessments (FRAX/QFracture), serum calcium, vitamin D, and follow-up actions, establishing a baseline before intervention. A re-audit of 39 patients after 12 months assessed progress
Think Delirium - Act Fast
Syncope: The Invaluable Role of a Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) in Managing Complexity
Enhancing Patient-Centred Care in Geriatric Wards: Improving Care Preferences Documentation with Visual Aids and Staff Support
Introduction This Quality Improvement Project aimed to increase patient engagement and improve documentation of individual care preferences on geriatric wards. The focus was on enhancing communication—particularly for patients with cognitive impairment—to support personalised, patient-centred care. This was achieved by promoting the use of the "Getting To Know Me" (GTKM) form and "What Matters To Me" (WMTM) icon through dedicated staff support and visual aids. Method Activity Coordinators were assigned specific days to assist patients in completing the GTKM form and WMTM icon. Laminated visual
Improving Antibiotic Prescribing Practices: A Quality Improvement Project
Orthogeriatrics: Improving the use of Bisphosphonates
Orthogeriatrics: Improving Assessments and the use of Bisphosphonates Introduction At Doncaster Royal Infirmary we targeted an improvement in the care of patients admitted with a hip fracture. The first objective was to deliver more consistent Orthogeriatric Assessments. The second objective was to improve bone health assessments and the use of bisphosphonates for secondary prevention of fragility fractures. Method After a period of limited Orthogeriatric service, from January 2025, new medical support was provided in the form of 12 hours per week of Consultant time and support from a recently
The Role of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment and Shared Decision Making in General Surgical Inpatients
Scottish Care Homes’ Research Involvement and Priorities
Introduction: Care home residents and staff have limited, though increasing, opportunities to participate in research. This project aimed to describe motivating and limiting factors for research participation and priorities in Scottish care homes. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, a 21-item questionnaire was distributed to Scottish care homes for older people by ENRICH (Enabling Research in Care Homes) Scotland. It included questions on demographics and previous research involvement, with multiple choice and free-text response options. Mixed methods analysis was used including non