Trust aims to slash mortality by quarter in 5 years

Bosses at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust have adopted a plan to cut mortality by 25 per cent by 2017 with the trust aiming to be ranked in the top 10 per cent of hospitals for the lowest Hospital Standardised Mortality Rate.

The Quality Improvement Strategy has been adopted by the hospital board and commits the trust and its staff to securing major quality achievements in coming years.

Among the key aims to help the trust cut its death rates is the elimination of pressure ulcers at grade three and four by 2013, an 80 per cent reduction in patient falls by 2017 and 100 per cent compliance with WHO Safer Surgery Checklists by 2013.

The hospital trust also wants to reduce staff sickness absence rates down to 3.5 per cent and has pledged to deliver its cost improvement plans each year.

It’s part of a drive by the trust to get it “right, first time, every time” for patients.

The strategy said: “Over the last year, the trust board have recognised the trust has been a poor performer across a range of clinical and operational indicators.

“This situation is now rapidly improving with significant cultural change.

“This increased awareness of quality and safety is demonstrated through the development of a balanced score card approach from the ward and departments to the trust board, raising expectations of clinical managers and leaders, for example making falls and pressure ulcers unacceptable rather than inevitable.”

The strategy also makes the case that improving patient care will lead to better productivity at the trust meaning it will be financially healthier in years to come as well.