Quality improvement for surgical teams

Quality Improvement for Surgical Teams (QIST) is an opportunity for orthopaedic surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses, managers, commissioners, pharmacists and allied health professionals to share their experiences, knowledge and best practice. GAIL LOWDON, clinical surveillance lead, at Northumbria Healthcare, gives a personal insight into how the educational programme evolved and the Trust’s journey towards significant reductions in infection.

Northumbria Healthcare Foundation Trust covers one of the largest geographical areas of any healthcare Trust in England providing integrated health and social care to over 500,000 people living in Northumberland and North Tyneside and employing 9000 staff. Approximately 2400 hip and knee replacements are performed each year. 

The Trust has been chosen as one of a number of organisations and partnerships across England to develop new models of care (Vanguard sites). Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, with NHS Northumberland CCG, will work closely with local GPs, mental health services, the ambulance service, Northumberland County council, local patients and Northumberland Health watch, to continue to deliver joined-up care for patients, integrated health and social care. It is rated among the best NHS Trusts in the country and has achieved the highest standards when being assessed by independent regulators such as Monitor, the Care Quality Commission and the NHS Litigation Authority.