Clinical Outcomes
Since Jan 2008 we have been submitting data to CHKS Signpost.
Clinical Performance Indicators
The Portland Hospital became involved with submitting data to CHKS Signpost (UK's leading independent provider of healthcare intelligence, the UK healthcare intelligence market with hospital benchmarking in 1989) in Jan 2008 on a monthly basis.
The indicators we submit data for are:
Unplanned Readmission within 28 days for same / related condition
An unplanned re-admission is when a patient is re-admitted to the hospital within 28 days of being discharged. The reason for the second admission should be related to the first. Some patients may be at greater risk of being re-admitted than others, so this may increase the rate of re-admission at those hospitals treating very ill patients or very complex cases. Our rate in 2010 was 0.47%, compared to 1.63% in NHS. This is a percentage of all discharges.
Mortalities
These are any deaths within the hospital stay. Our rate in 2010 was 0.01%, compared to 1.39% in NHS. This is a percentage of all discharges.
Unplanned returns to theatre
A return to theatre is when a patient has surgery and needs to return to theatre for an unplanned procedure during the same stay at the hospital. Our rate in 2010 was 0.08%, compared to 5% in NHS. This is a percentage of all theatre cases.
When looking at results like this, please consider:
- Hospitals treating small numbers of patients can show a high rate of returns to theatre because of a low number of cases.
- The same hospital may then go on to have no more cases for a long time.
- Hospitals performing more complex procedures, or operating on people with other existing illnesses, are likely to have higher rates of returns to theatre.
How we keep returns to theatre low:
- Our patients undergo a rigorous assessment with our nursing and medical staff before surgery.
- Our surgeons and anesthetists are all recognised specialists in their fields and are listed on the General Medical Council's Specialist Register.
- Our hospital has dedicated recovery areas so we can carefully monitor patients immediately after their operation.
Unplanned transfers out
This is where a patient has to be transferred out urgently for more specialised care than we may be able to offer.
Our rate in 2010 was 0.14%, compared to 1.55% in NHS. This is a percentage of all discharges.
Our rate is higher than some other HCA hospitals due to the nature of our work with children from overseas that have multiple problems and need further specialist care.
| Indicator | The Portland Hospital | HCA Group Value | NHS Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mortality | 0.01% | 0.2% | 1.39% |
| Unplanned returns to Theatre | 0.08% | 0.13% | 5% |
| Unplanned Transfers out | 0.14% | 0.3% | 1.55% |
| Unplanned Readmissions | 0.47% | 0.42% | 1.63% |
Outcomes broken down by speciality.
Each Quarter we also submit data to the Healthcare Commission (Care Quality Commission from April 2009) for the following indicators:
- Mortalities
- Number of Admissions
- Number of Day Cases
- Number of Anaesthetics
- Number of trips to the operating theatre
- Unplanned returns to the operating theatre
- Unplanned Readmission within 28 days for same / related condition
- Number of blood culture results that were reported as positive for MRSA
- Number of blood culture results that were reported as positive for MSSA
- The number of reports of serious injury under regulation 28 of the Private and Voluntary Healthcare (England) Regulations 2001
Each Quarter we also look at the following indictors within HCA.
- Number of Surgical Site infections for Abdominal Hysterectomies
- Number of C.Difficile infections
- Complaints & resolution rates
- Wrong site surgery
- Retained swabs/instruments
- Radiation overdoses
- Maternity specific outcomes
Each month the following outcomes are discussed at the Head’s of Department meetings:
- Unplanned Readmission within 28 days for same / related condition
- Mortalities
- Unplanned returns to theatre
- Unplanned transfers out
- Patient Feedback scores
Every 2 months the following outcomes are discussed at the Medical Advisory Committee:
- Unplanned Readmission within 28 days for same / related condition
- Mortalities
- Stillbirths
- Unplanned returns to theatre
- Unplanned transfers out
- Delivery numbers
- Surgical Site Infections
- MRSA bacteraemia's & colonisations
- MSSA bacteraemia's & colonisations
- C. Difficile infections
- Medication incidents
- Clinical Incidents that have been closed
- NICE guidance
