Innovative project led by the Urology Continence team and the Procurement team will improve patient experience and save the Trust thousands of pounds
A collaborative project between the Urology Continence team and the Procurement team to standardise the use of incontinence products across UHDB, aims to improve patient experience by providing maximum comfort and reducing physical issues such as moisture lesions and skin damage, while also saving the Trust significant costs of £31,000 a year.
The project originally started as a bid to standardise the use of disposable incontinence products across the Trust but after working with colleagues in procurement and listening to feedback from colleagues in the Tissue Viability team, the Urology Continence team, which is based at Royal Derby Hospital, decided more could be done to improve patient experience and education among staff about the use of incontinence pads.
A recent audit identified that different products were being used at different sites as a result of ongoing supply issues and inconsistencies with ordering, which also prompted the opportunity to provide some further training about the use of the pads in general.
Sam Muter, Urology Clinical Nurse Specialist said: "The patient was very much the focus of this work and the main aim was to ensure that the incontinence products are being used appropriately and of maximum benefit to our patients. Many staff work across sites so it is important to have consistency and know that whichever site or department you work from, you will be using the same products."
The project highlighted that additional training on how to use the new products correctly could also help to reduce moisture lesions and skin damage for patients.
Anita Counsell, Lead Urology Clinical Nurse Specialist said: "If you imagine that a patient you are caring for has urinated in a pad and is lying there, feeling it wet against their skin, it would be so uncomfortable. Some of our patients are unable to communicate that discomfort. In contrast, some pads may only be slightly damp and may be changed unnecessarily, contributing to massive amounts of waste, so we are hoping that some refreshed education about wetness indicators on these products will help with patient comfort and skin integrity while also reducing waste."
As part of the project the team worked with colleagues on various wards to evaluate the different products and encourage conversation about when and how they are used, to reduce waste and save colleague's time.
Helen Redshaw, Urology Clinical Nurse Specialist, said: "We did rigorous testing to ensure that the incontinence pads we use moving forward are the best quality and suitable for all of our patients. This is not just about using the cheapest option, but instead about what we felt to be clinically most appropriate, and then the procurement team worked to negotiate a good contract with the supplier. We feel we have managed to get the best product for our patients which happens to have a better price tag, which is a bonus."
Abby Hudson, Assistant Project Manager for Procurement, said the changes will mean a great cost saving for the Trust and changes to the formulary mean the products will also be easier to order for colleagues, saving them time which can instead be spent with their patients.
Abby said: "We did a lot of comparison behind the scenes and found that we could use a supplier that was already used by the Trust in some areas but consider how we can order differently and reduce waste. This has been a big project and we have had to work collaboratively to get the best results but I am really pleased that in doing so we have been able to improve what we offer to patients and save money at the same time."
Simon Crowther, Chief Financial Officer, praised the team's efforts and said he hopes that other departments follow their lead in a bid to look at how we can continue to offer quality care, while also being more sustainable and economically friendly.
Simon said: "It is great to see the initiative and improvements the Urology Continence team have made. Not only will this project have huge cost savings for the Trust at a time when sustainability and finance remains a high priority for us, but they have also demonstrated how small changes can have a big impact on improving patient experience.
"I hope this work inspires other colleagues across the Trust to consider where we can make other changes like this."
The new incontinence pads are now available for departments to order across the Trust. To find out more contact dhft.continence@nhs.net