National recognition for Trust’s work to prevent blood clots

Back row: Sarah Smith (Interim Quality Matron), John Hodson (Lead Nurse for Quality and Patient Safety), Karen Simeson (Advanced Clinical Practitioner), Lauren Shields (Lead Nurse for Quality) Front row: Maxine Helliwell (Clinical Audit Manager), Lindilu Gombakomba (Advanced Clinical Pharmacist), Deepa Devarajan (Trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner), Charlotte Daniel (Advanced Clinical Pharmacist), Dr Daniel McNally (Consultant in Acute Medicine and Thrombosis Group Chair)

Mid Yorkshire NHS Teaching Trust’s ongoing commitment to improving patient safety has been recognised with a national accreditation for its work to prevent blood clots.

Following an assessment by a team from King’s College London, the Trust has been awarded VTE Exemplar Centre Status for its sustained commitment to VTE prevention, leadership and innovation.

Venous Thromboembolism – or VTE – is when a potentially deadly blood clot forms in a vein. A substantial proportion of VTE cases occur when people are in hospital, so both prevention and timely treatment should they occur, is crucial.

Over the last two years the Trust has introduced a number of initiatives to improve the service, including the creation of dedicated VTE champions and launching the MYTT Thrombosis group.

VTE champions are embedded in every division across the Trust and continuously monitor the VTE status in their departments. They highlight any areas that require improvement and support with staff and patient education around the prevention of blood clots.

The MYTT Thrombosis group advises on prevention and treatment, raises awareness, promotes high standards and ensures Trust policy is up to date. It also reviews national guidance and highlights any new learning which could be adopted.

Lauren Shields, Lead Nurse for Quality, said: "VTEs can be extremely serious and sometimes fatal, so it is vital we have robust measures in place to prevent them. Where they do occur, early detection and treatment is crucial.

“This achievement has been a Trust-wide effort, and I would like to thank all the clinical teams across the Trust for their dedication and hard work in helping to keep patients safe. The high standards we strive for around VTE prevention and treatment would not be possible without them."

Mid Yorkshire NHS Teaching Trust Chief Executive Len Richards added: “I am thrilled the Trust’s VTE team has received national recognition for their hard work and dedication to patient safety over the last two years. We will continue to uphold those high standards and act as a leader in best practice for VTE in the region.”