Interventional bundle for venous thromboembolism prevention: ensuring quality and effectiveness.

Hospital-associated thromboses (HATs) are a potentially preventable cause of morbidity and mortality. Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was designated a Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) Exemplar Centre by NHS England in 2014. However, following delayed reporting of a potentially preventable HAT in 2015, a benchmarking exercise suggested HATs were being under-reported, and also that the established hospital-wide audits of VTE prevention had significant limitations. The aim of this interventional bundle was to ensure high-quality data for key VTE prevention measures across the hospital, to identify areas for improvement and demonstrate a reduction in the number of potentially preventable HATs over a 2-year period. The project team engaged with hospital leadership and collaborated with hospital-wide stakeholders. A multifaceted approach was taken and 'Plan Do Study Act' cycles were used to test interventions with continuous evaluation of impact. The percentage of inpatients receiving appropriate thromboprophylaxis progressively increased from 94% to 98%. The project did not achieve its secondary aim of a reduction in the number of potentially preventable HATs. Revision of the HAT reporting process resulted in better detection and an initial increase in reporting of potentially preventable HATs, although data suggest that the level of harm from errors is now reducing. The improvement in overall appropriate thromboprophylaxis is considered to be due to robust audits of appropriate thromboprophylaxis, upskilling of ward pharmacists, improved detection of potentially preventable HATs resulting in additional safety nets such as linking the 'outcome recommendation' of the electronic VTE risk assessment directly to electronic prescribing, and increased awareness and education. Combining low-cost actions in a coordinated interventional bundle has produced measurable improvements in our VTE management programme, enhancing patient safety. We believe the model to be sustainable and replicable in other general hospitals.

The free healthcare initiative in Sierra Leone: Evaluating a health system reform, 2010-2015.

This article presents the findings of a theory-based evaluation of the Sierra Leone Free Health Care Initiative (FHCI), using mixed methods. Analytical approaches included time-series analysis of national survey data to examine mortality and morbidity trends, as well as modelling of impact using the Lives Saved Tool and expenditure trend analysis. We find that the FHCI responded to a clear need in Sierra Leone, was well designed to bring about needed changes in the health system to deliver services to the target beneficiaries, and did indeed bring funds and momentum to produce important systemic reforms. However, its ambition was also a risk, and weaknesses in implementation have been evident in a number of core areas, such as drugs supply. We conclude that the FHCI was one important factor contributing to improvements in coverage and equity of coverage of essential services for mothers and children. Modelled cost-effectiveness is high-in the region of US$ 420 to US$ 444 per life year saved. The findings suggest that even-or perhaps especially-in a weak health system, a reform-like fee removal, if tackled in a systematic way, can bring about important health system gains that benefit vulnerable groups in particular.

Scaling up family planning in Sierra Leone: A prospective cost-benefit analysis.

Family planning is commonly regarded as a highly cost-effective health intervention with wider social and economic benefits. Yet use of family planning services in Sierra Leone is currently low and 25.0% of married women have an unmet need for contraception. This study aims to estimate the costs and benefits of scaling up family planning in Sierra Leone. Using the OneHealth Tool, two scenarios of scaling up family planning coverage to currently married women in Sierra Leone over 2013-2035 were assessed and compared to a 'no-change' counterfactual. Our costing included direct costs of drugs, supplies and personnel time, programme costs and a share of health facility overhead costs. To monetise the benefits, we projected the cost savings of the government providing five essential social services - primary education, child immunisation, malaria prevention, maternal health services and improved drinking water - in the scale-up scenarios compared to the counterfactual. The total population, estimated at 6.1 million in 2013, is projected to reach 8.3 million by 2035 in the high scenario compared to a counterfactual of 9.6 million. We estimate that by 2035, there will be 1400 fewer maternal deaths and 700 fewer infant deaths in the high scenario compared to the counterfactual. Our modelling suggests that total costs of the family planning programme in Sierra Leone will increase from US$4.2 million in 2013 to US$10.6 million a year by 2035 in the high scenario. For every dollar spent on family planning, Sierra Leone is estimated to save US$2.10 in expenditure on the five selected social sector services over the period. There is a strong investment case for scaling up family planning services in Sierra Leone. The ambitious scale-up scenarios have historical precedent in other sub-Saharan African countries, but the extent to which they will be achieved depends on a commitment from both the government and donors to strengthening Sierra Leone's health system post-Ebola.

The relationship between developmental variables, personality disorder, and risk in sex offenders.

Previous research on the evaluation of the Challenge Project, a community treatment program for sex offenders in southeast London, identified the potential role of key developmental variables as enhancing actuarial risk measures to identify individuals at highest risk for community failure. The aim of the current study was to assess the relationship between developmental variables and later personality dysfunction in adult-hood, and the contribution of these factors to assessing risk for sexual recidivism, in a wider group of sex offenders managed in the community by the probation service. Over an 8-month period, 241 participants were assessed, including 162 child molesters and 79 rapists. A wide range of background data were collected, including the administration of several psychometric measures. A strong relationship was found between key developmental variables and adult mental health and personality difficulties, as well as a range of risk measures. The implications of the findings for further research are discussed.

Physical Health and Dual Diagnosis.

The physical health of people with mental illness may be neglected for a variety of reasons. This paper looks at the common physical health problems experienced by people with a dual diagnosis of substance misuse and serious mental illness, and suggests ways of assessing and managing them.