MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'governance'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:20:22 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5158855&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F23%2Fimplementation-of-patient-safety-alerts%2F Scan or click to download 'Implementation of Patient Safety Alerts' Title: Implementation of Patient Safety Alerts The Skinny: Report from Action Against Medical Accidents into the implementation of Patient Safety Alerts by NHS Trusts. These alerts are issued by the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) about known problems that have repeatedly caused harm or killed patients, and which can be avoided if the actions in the alerts are implemented. The report finds: 195 NHS trusts had not complied with at least one patient safety alert for which the deadline had already past. This is almost 50% of all NHS trusts. Of the 9 extra-urgent “Rapid Response Report” alerts issued in 2010 and which are already past the deadline for completion, not a single one has been complied ... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5158855 Tue, 23 Aug 2011 12:01:12 +0100 5158855 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5158856&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F23%2Fhow-to-guide-improving-transitions-from-the-hospital-to-the-clinical-office-practice-to-reduce-avoidable-rehospitalizations%2F Scan or click to download 'How-to Guide: Improving Transitions from the Hospital to the Clinical Office Practice to Reduce Avoidable Rehospitalizations' Title: How-to Guide Improving Transitions from the Hospital to the Clinical Office Practice to Reduce Avoidable Rehospitalizations The Skinny: Guide from Institute for Health Improvement on avoiding avoidable rehospitalisations as a result of poor co-ordination of care settings. Avoiding this is a key step toward achieving broader delivery system transformation. Based on the healthcare system of the USA this guide is of use to those looking at primary care and community settings. Publisher: Institute for Health Improvement Published: August 2011 Filed under: Ooops Missed Category! Tagged: Clinical Governance, Collaboration, Coord... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5158856 Tue, 23 Aug 2011 09:53:48 +0100 5158856 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5158857&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F23%2Fhow-to-guide-improving-transitions-from-the-hospital-to-post-acute-care-settings-to-reduce-avoidable-rehospitalizations%2F Scan or click to download 'How-to Guide Improving Transitions from the Hospital to Post-Acute Care Settings to Reduce Avoidable Rehospitalizations' Title: How-to Guide Improving Transitions from the Hospital to Post-Acute Care Settings to Reduce Avoidable Rehospitalizations The Skinny: Guide from Institute for Health Improvement on avoiding avoidable rehospitalisations as a result of poor co-ordination of care settings. Avoiding this is a key step toward achieving broader delivery system transformation. Based on the healthcare system of the USA this guide is of use to those looking at intermediate care/rehabilitation settings. Publisher: Institute for Health Improvement Published: August 2011 Size: 144p. Filed under: Ooops Missed Category! Tagged: Clinical Governance, finance, Gr... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5158857 Tue, 23 Aug 2011 08:27:37 +0100 5158857 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5158858&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F23%2Fhow-to-guide-improving-transitions-from-the-hospital-to-home-health-care-to-reduce-avoidable-rehospitalizations%2F Scan or click to download 'How-to Guide: Improving Transitions from the Hospital to Home Health Care to Reduce Avoidable Rehospitalizations' Title: How-to Guide: Improving Transitions from the Hospital to Home Health Care to Reduce Avoidable Rehospitalizations The Skinny: Guide from Institute for Health Improvement on avoiding avoidable rehospitalisations as a result of poor co-ordination of care settings. Avoiding this is a key step toward achieving broader delivery system transformation. Based on the healthcare system of the USA this guide is of use to those looking to aviod rehospitalisation on return to the community detailing initial steps to create an enhanced transition to home health care in the first 48 hours after the patient is discharged from the hospital, a post-acut... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5158858 Tue, 23 Aug 2011 07:59:04 +0100 5158858 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5139621&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F19%2Finformation-governance-in-health-research-report%2F Scan or clcick to download 'Information governance in health: Research Report'Title: Information governance in health: Research Report The Skinny: Research from the Nuffield Trust that explores the current information governance regulations and reflect on the social values that underpin them. It indentifies that the governance the use of health care data is of growing concern to the public, researchers and policy-makers alike. Key questions the research addresses: How can we define what constitutes a ‘public benefit’? What safeguards are necessary to ensure that patients’ rights are protected within a ‘public benefit’ model? How can obligations arising from the rights of patients be balanced against the benefits accrued to the public at large? Publisher: Nuffield Tru... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5139621 Fri, 19 Aug 2011 07:38:31 +0100 5139621 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5139622&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F19%2Faccess-to-person-level-data-in-health-care-research-summary%2F Title: Access to person-level data in health care: Research Summary Scan or click to download ‘Access to person-level data in health care: Research summary’ The Skinny: Research summary from the Nuffield Trust that indentifies that the governance the use of health care data is of growing concern to the public, researchers and policy-makers alike. Regulations and guidance help to protect individual privacy and confidentiality. However, overly restrictive rules can also stifle valuable research and analysis. It identifies as key questions: How can we define what constitutes a ‘public benefit’? What safeguards are necessary to ensure that patients’ rights are protected within a ‘public benefit’ model? How can obligations arising from the rights of patients be balance... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5139622 Fri, 19 Aug 2011 07:25:45 +0100 5139622 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5139624&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F18%2Fsarcoma-measures-for-the-manual-for-cancer-services%2F Title: Sarcoma: Measures for the Manual for Cancer Services Scan or click to download ‘Sarcoma Measures for the Manual for Cancer Services’ The Skinny: Dear collegue letter announcing that Sarcoma Measures are being issued today as part of the Manual for Cancer Services. A copy of the measures can be found in the Cancer Section on the Department of Health web-site or the CQuINS web-site www.cquins.nhs.uk. Publisher: DH Published: 09/08/11 Size: 2p Filed under: Ooops Missed Category! Tagged: Cancer, Clinical Governance, Commissioning, Grey Literature, Health Outcomes, Management control, Monitoring of standards, Neoplasms, NHS Circulars, Outcomes, Patient outcomes, Performance monitoring, Quality, Quality Assurance, Quality assurance in health services, Quality control, Sarc... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5139624 Thu, 18 Aug 2011 12:42:35 +0100 5139624 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5139626&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F18%2Fsafe-and-sustainable-review-of-childrens-congenital-heart-services-in-england-interim-health-impact-assessment%2F Title: Safe and sustainable: Review of Children’s Congenital Heart Services in England Interim Health Impact Assessment Scan or click to download ‘Safe and sustainable: Safe and sustainable: Review of Children’s Congenital Heart Services in England Interim Health Impact Assessment’ The Skinny: Looks at the impact of moving to Congenital heart networks as the new model of care to ensure that in future care for children and young people with congenital heart disease are better coordinated. Within the new model of care, each network would include a Specialist Surgical Centre, a Children’s Cardiology Centre and District Children’s Cardiology Services. It states that concentrating surgical expertise onto fewer sites and bringing non-surgical care closer to home wi... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5139626 Thu, 18 Aug 2011 12:38:06 +0100 5139626 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5139627&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F17%2Flocal-square-table-learning-and-evaluation-report%2F Title: Local square table learning and evaluation report Scan or click to download 'Local square table learning and evaluation report' The Skinny: Reports on the findings of open and honest discussion and increased understanding between those who provide children’s palliative care, those who experience it and those that play a wider part in supporting children, young people and families in a particular community. Finds that: Awareness and language is seen as a barrier to service access Parents say they struggle with the current assessment process Partnership working is seen as key to ensuring the best outcomes for lifelimited and life-threatened children and young people Workforce training and development is considered a priority by parents and professionals Parents f... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5139627 Wed, 17 Aug 2011 15:43:14 +0100 5139627 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5139633&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F17%2Fdiagnostic-tool-for-emerging-clinical-commissioning-groups%2F Title: Diagnostic tool for emerging clinical commissioning groups Scan or click to download ‘Diagnostic tool for emerging clinical commissioning groups’ The Skinny: A developmental, self-assessment tool to enable emerging clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to understand and reflect upon their values, culture, behaviours and wider organisational health has been issued as an Excel spreadsheet. It allows CCG leadership teams to assess the capability of their emerging CCG across six domains, identify their development needs and access further resources and examples of good practice. The tool is intended to encourage conversations about the roles and responsibilities that will be expected of CCGs as statutory bodies and their readiness to take these on. It includes some of the ... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5139633 Wed, 17 Aug 2011 14:35:50 +0100 5139633 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5130646&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F15%2Fsafe-effective-service-improvement-delivering-the-safety-and-productivity-agenda-in-healthcare-using-a-lean-approach%2F Title: Safe & Effective Service Improvement: Delivering the safety and productivity agenda in healthcare using a Lean approach Scan to download Safe and Effective Service Improvement: Delivering the safety and productivity agenda in healthcare using a Lean approach. The Skinny: Guide for those with a responsibility for safety and productivity working in healthcare organisations, introducing the concept that Lean can, and already is, being used to tackle both of these important agendas. Aims to show that an absence of “Lean Thinking” inside healthcare organisations can lead to increased patient safety risks. Tackling patient safety incidents in all their many forms, from near misses through to events that cause severe harm or even death, is a priority for healthcare organisations. I... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5130646 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 15:21:41 +0100 5130646 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5130649&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F15%2Fpeeling-the-onion-learning-tips-and-tools-from-the-health-inequalities-scrutiny-programme%2F Title: Peeling the onion: Learning, tips and tools from the Health Inequalities Scrutiny Programme Click or scan to download 'Peeling the onion: Learning, tips and tools from the Health Inequalities Scrutiny Programme' The Skinny: Report from the Centre for Public Scrutiny considering best practice in scrutiny of health inequalities by offering tips and tools from the Health Inequalities Scrutiny Programme. Topics covered are: Scrutiny and health inequalities The health inequalities challenge – and scrutiny Scrutiny and health inequalities – a public health perspective A benchmark for effective scrutiny of health inequalities Key attributes Vision, leadership and drive Community & stakeholder engagement Partnership working Local understanding Being systematic Mon... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5130649 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 15:00:54 +0100 5130649 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5130653&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F15%2Facute-care-toolkit-for-handover%2F Scan or click to download Title: Acute Medicine Toolkit May 2011 The Skinny: Royal College of Physicians toolkit on handover in acute settings which includes concise practical guidance to enhance patient safety, medical effectiveness and high quality service and training within current working patterns. Publisher: RCP Published: 11/07/11 Size: 4p. Additional Documents Handover Proceedings Sheet Out of Hours Handover Filed under: Ooops Missed Category! Tagged: Clinical Governance, Communication, Grey Literature, Information exchange, Information management, Information transfer, Management, Medical communication, Medical information exchange, Medical Staff, Patient Safety, Quality, Quality control, Quality Improvement, Safety (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5130653 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 14:36:35 +0100 5130653 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5130657&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F15%2Fpiloting-payment-by-results-for-drugs-recovery-%25e2%2580%2593-draft-outcome-definitions%2F Title: Piloting Payment by Results for Drugs Recovery – draft outcome definitions Scan or click to download 'Piloting Payment by Results for Drugs Recovery – draft outcome definitions' The Skinny: The Government has set the following high-level outcomes: Free from drug(s) of dependence Offending Employment Health and well-being A Co-design Group has developed proposals to measure these outcomes and set eligibility criteria and now invites comments from the sector on draft proposals. Publisher: DH Published: 13/07/11 Size: 13p. Filed under: Ooops Missed Category! Tagged: Addiction, Addiction units, Alcohol Abuse, Alcohol abuse services, Alcohol and drug consumption, Clinical Governance, Drug Abuse, Drugs of Abuse, Grey Literature, Health Outcomes, Health Services, Outcomes, ... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5130657 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 14:04:28 +0100 5130657 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5130660&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F15%2Fkeeping-patients-safe-when-they-transfer-between-care-providers-%25e2%2580%2593-getting-the-medicines-right-good-practice-guidance-for-healthcare-professions%2F Title: Keeping patients safe when they transfer between care providers – getting the medicines right: Good practice guidance for healthcare professions Scan or Click to download 'Keeping patients safe when they transfer between care providers – getting the medicines right: Good practice guidance for healthcare professions' The Skinny: Guidance from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society on the safe and effective transfer of information about patients’ medicines. The guidance contains high level core principles and responsibilities that underpin the safe transfer of information about medicines whenever a patient transfers care providers both internally within an organisation or externally, at any point in the care pathway. Publisher: Royal Pharmaceutical Society Published: 13/07/1... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5130660 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 13:53:30 +0100 5130660 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4862927&cid=t_116226_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FVft46fKB-v4%2F Last month, we wrote that Mylan Laboratories ceo Bob Coury has often used the corporate jet for personal matters. For instance, the drugmaker absorbed $535,590 last year so he could get where he was going, and that was up from $433,387 in 2009 and $348,988 in 2008. These are rather large sums and one corporate governance expert said all this flight activity on the shareholder dime was “inappropriate” (back story). But where was Bob - and whoever else - going on all those trips? Well, the new Jet Tracker database, which was created by The Wall Street Journal and compiles non-commercial jet aircraft traffic between 2007 through 2010, offers some insight. For instance, the drugmaker is based in Pittsburgh, so it is not surprising that the vast majority of flights were destined for... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4862927 Tue, 24 May 2011 15:06:21 +0100 4862927 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4841388&cid=t_116226_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F05%2Fseverance-package-to-un-severed-ceo.html The latest jaw-dropping story about executive compensation in health care has been unfolding in California, but at least now I have a diagnosis for this syndrome.  A Generous Retirement Package, Paid Before RetirementIn April, the Los Angeles Times reported about the generous retirement package given to an outgoing public hospital district CEO in California:When he turned 65 two years ago, Samuel Downing received a $3-million retirement payment from a public hospital district in Salinas, Calif., where he serves as president and chief executive.But Downing continued working at his $668,000-a-year job for another two years, and after he retires this week, he will receive another payment of nearly $900,000. That comes on top of his regular pension of $150,000 a year.Note that not only wa... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4841388 Thu, 19 May 2011 21:11:00 +0100 4841388 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4828859&cid=t_116226_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FO3uaghfl2zE%2F By George Scoville It is false to assume that GM’s earnings report means the auto bailout was a success. It is false that, among other things, failing to raise the debt limit means defaulting on our obligations. It is false that Osama bin Laden’s death means torture is a good idea. It is false that international institutions can deliver what they say they can deliver. It is false that oil speculators are to blame for fluctuating oil prices: Monday Links is a post from Cato @ Liberty - Cato Institute Blog (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4828859 Mon, 16 May 2011 14:01:40 +0100 4828859 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4733993&cid=t_116226_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F04%2Fkhadafys-academic-mercenaries-health.html We just discussed Henry Kissinger as an early example of the intellectual mercenary, and recent striking examples of academic mercenaries,particularly the Harvard University-derived Monitor Group's academically disguised public relations work for Libyan tyrant Moammar Khadafy.We concluded that academic mercenaries help foster the corporate culture in which health care is now immersed.  However, it also appears they may have direct influence on health care.  Monitor Group LeadershipConsider for example the main figure in the Monitor Group - Khadafy scandal.  According to a Boston Globe article, Michael Porter developed the Monitor-Khadafy connection: Monitor’s work in Libya began when Michael Porter, a Harvard Business School professor who is a... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4733993 Tue, 19 Apr 2011 19:54:00 +0100 4733993 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4670079&cid=t_116226_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F04%2Flogical-fallacies-in-support-of.html The kerfuffle over the huge golden parachute given the departing CEO of an ostensibly non-profit Massachusetts health insurer/ managed care organization continues to evolve (see posts here and here), providing some new insight into governance problems afflicting health care organizations.  One of the issues that aroused initially aroused concern was that Massachusetts Blue Cross Blue Shield paid the members of its board of trustees substantial amount, an unusual practice for a non-profit organization.  Board members who feel they owe their pay to the CEO they are supposed to be overseeing might be particularly inclined to over pay that same CEO.Nonetheless, the Boston Globe just reported that other non-profit Massachusetts health insurers were defending their payme... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4670079 Sat, 02 Apr 2011 01:26:00 +0100 4670079 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4549775&cid=t_116226_107_f&fid=36672&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencebase.com%2Fscience-blog%2Ffive-science-selects-2.html var addthis_product = 'wpp-252'; var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true,"ui_cobrand":"Sciencebase"};var addthis_options = "facebook,twitter,google,email,printer,more" Persistence of vision – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia – If persistence of vision were the explanation for how the mind perceives moving pictures in cinema, cinema wouldn't work, because the persistence would constantly produce images of complementary colour to what is on the screen. The Victorian myth was actually debunked in 1912. Hat-tip to Brian Clegg for alerting me to this. Six Steps to Strychnine – Small molecule, complex structure? That could be the most enticing phrase an organic chemist might hear, in the laboratory at least… Slashing the intangibles – Things that are ... Sciencebase Science Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4549775 Fri, 04 Mar 2011 11:00:03 +0100 4549775 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4545000&cid=t_116226_107_f&fid=36672&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencebase.com%2Fscience-blog%2Ffive-science-selects-2.html var addthis_product = 'wpp-252'; var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true,"ui_cobrand":"Sciencebase"};var addthis_options = "facebook,twitter,google,email,printer,more" Persistence of vision – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia – If persistence of vision were the explanation for how the mind perceives moving pictures in cinema, cinema wouldn't work, because the persistence would constantly produce images of complementary colour to what is on the screen. The Victorian myth was actually debunked in 1912. Hat-tip to Brian Clegg for alerting me to this. Six Steps to Strychnine – Small molecule, complex structure? That could be the most enticing phrase an organic chemist might hear, in the laboratory at least… Slashing the intangibles – Things that are ... Sciencebase Science Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4545000 Fri, 04 Mar 2011 11:00:03 +0100 4545000 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4477666&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F02%2F15%2Fcare-and-compassion-report-of-the-health-service-ombudsman-on-ten-investigations-into-nhs-care-of-older-people%2F Title: Care and compassion?: Report of the Health Service Ombudsman on ten investigations into NHS care of older people Skinny:Report into poor service delivered to elderly people by the NHS, it uses the media of ten case reports to highlight the issue. Mr and Mrs J’s story: Hospital staff at Ealing Hospital NHS Trust left Mr J forgotten in a waiting room, denying him the chance to be with his wife as she died. Mr D’s story: Royal Bolton Hospital NHS Foundation Trust discharged Mr D with inadequate pain relief, leaving his family to find someone to dispense and administer morphine over a bank holiday weekend. Mrs R’s story: Mrs R’s family were concerned that she would not receive food and drink while in Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust unless they themselves helped her t... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4477666 Tue, 15 Feb 2011 15:47:45 +0100 4477666 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4249005&cid=t_116226_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F12%2Fon-interconnectedness-of-leadership-of.html We just posted about some misbehavior by Abbott Laboratories: a physician Abbott paid as a "key opinion leader" to help market its cardiac stents was accused of inserting stents in many patients who had no need for them; Abbott settled for over $400 million a lawsuit alleging the company defrauded Medicare and Medicaid; and it settled an unrelated suit for over $40 million alleging the company paid kickbacks to physicians for prescribing its drugs.  I thus thought it would be interesting to see how well paid are the corporate leaders who presided over these activities, and who are the board members who were supposed to be providing stewardship of this company.According to the company's 2010 proxy statement, the five highest-paid executives were:Miles D White, Chairman of the... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4249005 Fri, 10 Dec 2010 21:24:00 +0100 4249005 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4237848&cid=t_116226_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F12%2Fboards-who-ought-to-be-accountable-for.html I recently posted about the multiple conflicts of interest affecting a university health sciences leader.  While he was supposed to be running a medical school and an academic medical center, he was also responsible for the stewardship, as a board member, of three health major health care corporations, and a food and beverage corporation (whose products have bearing on nutrition and public health.)  .This one case suggested how pervasive are conflicts of interest affecting the people at the top of health care leadership in the US, and also how such conflicts may be associated with problems for all the organizations involved.  The story originally came to my attention because students were demonstrating against the lavish compensation given the health sciences leade... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4237848 Tue, 07 Dec 2010 17:44:00 +0100 4237848 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3987013&cid=t_116226_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fmore-than-1-million-to-run-public.html After a well-publicized story that managers of small town in California were paid in the high six-figures, reporters in California have gotten interested in the pay of public officials.Thus the San Diego Union-Tribune reported on the compensation received by CEOs of local public health agencies, called public health care districts, two of which run hospitals. One in particular received generous compensation:The top official at Palomar Pomerado Health, a public agency serving health-care needs in Poway and Escondido, receives in excess of $1 million in compensation per year.Michael Covert, who has run the North County hospital district since 2003, receives a base salary of $736,000 a year. Retirement, bonuses and other benefits push Covert’s total pay past $1.1 million.One other public he... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3987013 Mon, 20 Sep 2010 21:55:00 +0100 3987013 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3895834&cid=t_116226_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F08%2Fmaking-community-health-agency-into.html As we predicted, it seems that the US Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) increased reporting requirements for not-for-profit organizations are leading to more examples of the coziness now prevalent among the top leaders of such organizations.  The latest entry in this new parade comes from a story in the Bradenton (Florida) Herald about a not-for-profit community health agency whose mission is to provide health care to the poor and disenfranchised:Providing medical services to the indigent and uninsured in Manatee and Sarasota counties has financially benefitted some of Manatee County Rural Health Services Inc.’s officers, board members and their families, records show.The nonprofit agency has paid nearly $2 million in recent years to businesses owned by board members, officers, emplo... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3895834 Mon, 23 Aug 2010 20:30:00 +0100 3895834 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3805786&cid=t_116226_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F07%2Fwhere-no-hospital-ceos-are-below.html In Lake Woebegon, all children are above average.  Now it seems that hospital CEOs have moved there.  Ventura County, Where No CEO is Below AverageThe Ventura County (California) Star reported on the uniformly high remuneration of the CEOs of local, mostly small, not-for-profit hospitals and hospital systems.T. Michael Murray reaped $330,545 in 2008 as chief executive officer of St. John’s hospitals in Oxnard and Camarillo. He drew an additional $187,071 in bonuses with $73,113 more in benefits and other compensation.His total package, according to IRS records, reached $590,729.And he may have been underpaid, according to a statewide survey of 118 nonprofit hospitals. The report by the Payers & Providers healthcare business publication suggests the base salary for CEOs aver... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3805786 Fri, 30 Jul 2010 12:38:00 +0100 3805786 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3802342&cid=t_116226_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F07%2Fhospital-ceo-as-debt-collector.html Last year we noted that the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) required more detailed reporting starting in 2009 by US not-for-profit organizations. Many US health insurance companies/ managed care organizations, most hospitals, nearly all medical associations, nearly all disease advocacy organizations, all health care charities, and nearly all medical schools are not-for-profit organizations. We suggested then that this reporting might lead to more transparency about the leadership and governance of these organizations.  The 2009 990 forms seem to be trickling into public view, sometimes leading to some striking disclosures about how US not-for-profit health care organizations are lead.The California Watch blog just reported about the interesting part-time job of a hospital CEO:The fo... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3802342 Thu, 29 Jul 2010 22:17:00 +0100 3802342 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3736997&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F07%2F08%2Fpostgraduate-medical-journal-2010-vol-85-no-1012%2F Contents page Fade Fave: Doctors’ views of attitudes towards peer medical error Fade Skinny: Evaluates doctors’ attitudes towards handling medical errors made by their peers. It finds the most acceptable approach to dealing with a peer’s medical error is to report it to the responsible doctor and encourage them to disclose it to the patient. (NHS Athens is required to access this article online) Filed under: Athens Password, Current Awareness, E-Journals Tagged: Athens Password, Clinical Governance, Current Awareness, E-Journals (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3736997 Thu, 08 Jul 2010 14:11:18 +0100 3736997 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3721720&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F07%2F02%2Foxygen-therapy-for-acute-myocardial-infarction%2F Cochrane Review: Oxygen therapy for acute myocardial infarction The Skinny: Finds no conclusive evidence from randomised controlled trials to support the routine use of inhaled oxygen in patients with acute Acute Myocardial Infarction. A definitive randomised controlled trial is urgently required given the mismatch between trial evidence suggestive of possible harm from routine oxygen use and recommendations for its use in clinical practice guidelines. Filed under: Cardiovascular Diseases, Clinical Governance, Current Awareness, Evidence Based Practice, Heart Diseases Tagged: Current Awareness, Evidence Based Practice, Myocardial Infarction, Oxygen Therapy, Systematic Reviews (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3721720 Fri, 02 Jul 2010 10:06:07 +0100 3721720 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3721721&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F07%2F02%2Fadvice-to-rest-in-bed-versus-advice-to-stay-active-for-acute-low-back-pain-and-sciatica%2F Cochrane Review: Advice to rest in bed versus advice to stay active for acute low-back pain and sciatica The Skinny: Aims to determine the effects of advice to rest in bed or stay active for patients with acute low-back pain (LBP) or sciatica.  Moderate quality evidence shows that patients with acute LBP may experience small benefits in pain relief and functional improvement from advice to stay active compared to advice to rest in bed; patients with sciatica experience little or no difference between the two approaches. Low quality evidence suggests little or no difference between those who received advice to stay active, exercises or physiotherapy.  More research is required. Filed under: Clinical Governance, Current Awareness, Evidence Based Practice, Primary Care Tagged: Back... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3721721 Fri, 02 Jul 2010 09:10:18 +0100 3721721 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3665927&cid=t_116226_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fmore-hospitals-hiring-ceos-children.html As we predicted (here), the new reporting requirements imposed on US not-for-profit organizations are beginning to yield interesting results about the coziness of the leadership of some health care organizations.  Western PennsylvaniaFor example, we start with an article in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review about hospitals in western Pennsylvania.Board members at Western Pennsylvania hospitals have provided legal, real estate, insurance and advertising services to their organizations, according to IRS reports examined by the Tribune-Review.The reports, which cover the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, are the first under new reporting requirements imposed on nonprofit hospitals by the IRS. Still more requirements will kick in next year.Details of the filings by the two largest area health... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3665927 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 21:49:00 +0100 3665927 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3644711&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F06%2F09%2Fa-high-performing-nhs-a-review-of-progress-1997-2010%2F Title: A high-performing NHS?: A review of progress 1997-2010 The Skinny: King’s Fund report assesses how much progress the NHS has made in the following eight areas: access safety health promotion and management of long-term conditions clinical effectiveness patient experience equity efficiency accountability. It identifies important achievements, including major reductions in waiting times and rates of health care associated infections and progress in reducing smoking rates. There has been a concerted effort to implement national standards of care for major diseases across the NHS which has contributed to the continued falls in deaths from cancer and cardiovascular disease. There are less obvious changes too, including improvements in data collection and reporting, at a national and ... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3644711 Wed, 09 Jun 2010 06:56:24 +0100 3644711 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3640964&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F06%2F07%2Fvery-senior-managers%25e2%2580%2599-pay%2F Title: Very Senior Managers’ Pay Skinny: Dear Colleague Letter identifying for those covered by the national Pay Framework there will be a 0% uplift to basic pay for 2010/11, a performance pot (for 2009/10) of 5% of pay bill, and a 5% limit on individual performance awards; and awards for 2010/11 will be limited to the top 25% of performers. Also, there will be no increase to remuneration for chairs and non-executive directors for 2010/11. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 2p. Published: 20/05/10 Filed under: Financial Management, Governance, Grey Literature, Management, NHS, Pay Tagged: Dear Colleague Letters, Grey Literature, Management, NHS, Pay (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3640964 Mon, 07 Jun 2010 21:45:37 +0100 3640964 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3595540&cid=t_116226_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Fstewards-of-elite-university-or.html We have postulated that one of the key reasons US health care has become so dysfunctional is that the leaders of some of the most august health care institutions have strayed from, if not totally abandoned their organizations' fundamental missions.  There are many possible reasons for this phenomenon, but one is that the ultimate stewards of not-for-profit health care organizations, their boards of directors or trustees, have become uninterested in the mission, or impotent to uphold it.  So, we have tried to figure out what has happened to these boards that has lead to this sorry state.Dartmouth College: the Packing of the Board of TrusteesOne example we have come frequently discussed (beginning here) is that of Dartmouth College, despite its name, really a university, and o... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3595540 Mon, 24 May 2010 19:27:00 +0100 3595540 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3588840&cid=t_116226_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Fat-upmc-dealings-with-board-members.html Last year we noted that the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) required more detailed reporting starting in 2009 by US not-for-profit organizations.  Many US health insurance companies/ managed care organizations, most hospitals, nearly all medical associations, nearly all disease advocacy organizations, all health care charities, and nearly all medical schools are not-for-profit organizations.  We suggested then that this reporting might lead to more transparency about the leadership and governance of these organizations.  Some of these new 990 forms are now being publicly disclosed, with some interesting findings.  The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review just reported some interesting findings about financial ties between the University of Pittsburg... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3588840 Fri, 21 May 2010 21:12:00 +0100 3588840 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3581550&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2F20%2Fcaldicott-guardian-manual-2010%2F Title: Caldicott Guardian Manual 2010 Skinny: The manual takes account of developments in information management in the NHS and in Councils with Social Services Responsibilities since the publication of the Caldicott report. It sets out the role of the Caldicott Guardian within an organisational Caldicott/confidentiality function as a part of broader information governance. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 23p. Published: 24/03/2010 Filed under: Grey Literature, Information Governance, Local Authorities, NHS Tagged: Clinical Governance, Grey Literature, Information Governance, Quality (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3581550 Thu, 20 May 2010 04:39:40 +0100 3581550 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3581551&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2F20%2Forganising-quality-and-effective-spinal-services-for-patients-a-report-for-local-health-communities-by-the-spinal-taskforce%2F Title: Organising quality and effective spinal services for patients: a report for local health communities by the Spinal Taskforce Skinny: Report  intended to assist the NHS in developing and delivering effective spinal services, creating a set of productive services that deliver quality, timely and clinically appropriate care that meets patients’ needs and expectations. It looks at the effective organisation of spinal services for a wide population to support those planning and commissioning services across an SHA, PCTs and clinical and managerial teams within provider units. The document describes the main types of patients being referred for spinal treatment and advises on how to organise services to meet the needs of these groups, paying particular attention to quality, clinical ou... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3581551 Thu, 20 May 2010 04:32:13 +0100 3581551 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3581559&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2F20%2Fthe-national-health-service-performers-lists-directions%2F Title: The National Health Service (Performers Lists) Directions Skinny: These directions have been issued to PCTs to review procedures for managing Performers Lists within three months and to implement any changes by the end of the financial year 2010/11.  This follows the recent GP Out of Hours report and the inquest into the death of David Gray These directions need to be read in conjunction with the National Health Service (Performers Lists) Regulations 2004 (Statutory Instrument 2004 No 585) and subsequent amendment. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 3p. Published: 23/03/2010 Filed under: Clinical Governance, Legislation, NHS, Primary Care, Quality Tagged: Clinical Governance, Directions, Legislation, Out of Hours, Primary Care, Professional Discipline, Quality, Regulations (Sourc... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3581559 Thu, 20 May 2010 03:45:42 +0100 3581559 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3577336&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2F19%2Fefa2010001-medical-patient-weighing-scales%2F Title: EFA/2010/001: Medical patient weighing scales Skinny: Estates and Facilities Alert identifying medical weighing equipment used in healthcare premises may be inaccurate, inappropriate or not used correctly, leading to potential errors in diagnosis, treatment or medication of patients. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 6p. Published: 16/03/2010 Filed under: Clinical Governance, Grey Literature, Health and Safety, NHS Tagged: Clinical Governance, Diagnosis, Estates and Facilities Alert, Grey Literature, Health and Safety, Medication, Treatment (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3577336 Wed, 19 May 2010 11:23:31 +0100 3577336 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3577337&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2F19%2Fprogress-in-implementing-the-white-paper-trust-assurance-and-safety-march-2010%2F Title: Progress in implementing the white paper ‘ Trust Assurance and Safety’ Skinny: Summarises the progress made in implementing the White Paper ‘Trust, Assurance and Safety – The Regulation of Health Professionals in the 21st Century. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 13p. Published: 15/03/2010 Filed under: Clinical Governance, Grey Literature, Quality Tagged: Clinical Governance, Grey Literature, Health and Safety, Professional Discipline, Quality, Regulations (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3577337 Wed, 19 May 2010 11:08:03 +0100 3577337 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3533772&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2F05%2Fprimary-medical-services-directed-enhanced-services-england-directions-2010%2F Title: Primary Medical Services (Directed Enhanced Services) (England) Directions 2010 Skinny: Directions replacing the 2008 DES Directions and the associated 2009 DES amending directions.  Their primary purpose is to roll forward the following five directed enhanced services so that they apply for the period from 1st April 2010 to 31st March 2011.  The five directed enhanced services relate to extended hours access, alcohol related risk reduction, ethnicity and first language recording, learning difficulties health checks and osteoporosis diagnosis and prevention. These amending directions need to be read in conjunction with the The Statement of Financial Entitlements (Amendment) Directions 2010. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 20p. Published: 09/03/2010 Filed under: Clinical Gove... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3533772 Wed, 05 May 2010 09:37:05 +0100 3533772 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3533773&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2F05%2Fthe-statement-of-financial-entitlements-amendment-directions-2010%2F Title: The Statement of Financial Entitlements (Amendment) Directions 2010 Skinny: Latest in a series of changes made to the Statement of Financial Entitlements published in April 2005.  Their primary purpose is to introduce payment mechanisms relating to the following five directed enhanced services: extended hours access – section 7GA; alcohol related risk reduction – section 7HA; ethnicity and first language recording – section 7IA; learning difficulties health checks – section 7JA; osteoporosis diagnosis and prevention – section 7LA. Annex F is amended to effect further changes to the QoF related “Adjusted Practice Disease Factor”  calculation (the prevalence calculation). There are also some minor changes to: section 4 (Quality and Outcom... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3533773 Wed, 05 May 2010 09:32:56 +0100 3533773 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3533777&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2F05%2Fthe-primary-care-trusts-and-strategic-health-authorities-waiting-times-directions-2010%2F Title: The Primary Care Trusts and Strategic Health Authorities (Waiting Times) Directions 2010 Skinny: Regulations for Strategic Health Authorities and Primary Care Trusts ensuring they must make arrangements to ensure that any provider providing services to persons for whom that Trust or Authority is responsible complies with the operational standards relating to patients on an 18 week referral to treatment pathway. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 6p. Published: 08/03/2010 Filed under: Clinical Governance, Governance, Legislation, Primary Care, Quality, Scheduled Care/Elective Care, Waiting Times Tagged: Legislation, Primary Care, Regulations, Strategic Health Authorities, Waiting Times (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3533777 Wed, 05 May 2010 06:59:41 +0100 3533777 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3529731&cid=t_116226_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Fboard-member-blows-whistle-on-health.html We previously posted about some of the travails of for-profit health insurance company/ managed care organization Wellcare.  In August, 2009, we posted about Wellcare's "admission" that it had made numerous questionable campaign contributions.  In May, 2009 we posted about WellCare's submission to a deferred prosecution agreemeent based on charges that it defrauded state programs by inflating its expenses. In 2007, we posted about how the state of Connecticut stopped WellCare from running a plan for poor children after the company refused to reveal what it was paying physicians, and why it was failing to pay for particular services. So WellCare has been cited for three different kinds of unethical behavior in 2007-09. Here's a story about Wellcare with a new twist ... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3529731 Mon, 03 May 2010 20:32:00 +0100 3529731 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3494366&cid=t_116226_109_f&fid=36089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthesituationist.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F04%2F22%2Fthe-state-of-shareholder-power-in-the-situation-of-citizens-united%2F Who is speaking when a corporation talks? Can a corporation represent all of its shareholders and workers in political speech? How will corporations decide who to represent?  In “Corporate Governance Redux in the Light of Citizens United,” Robert A.G. Monks will detail  the history of corporate personhood and how this case relates to corporate governance. * * * Come hear Mr. Monks, shareholder activist, author, corporate governance advisor, and HLS alum, for a lunch-time discussion of the state of shareholder power after Citizens United (04/22/10).  The talk will be held in Austin West at Harvard Law School (12pm-1pm).  Lunch will be provided. (Source: The Situationist) The Situationist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3494366 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 04:01:22 +0100 3494366 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3494265&cid=t_116226_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Ffailed-leaders-of-citigroup-as-leaders.html When we began this blog, I never dreamed I would do so much writing about finance and the financial services sector of the economy, but,...  The Governance of CitigroupThe discussions and revelations generated by the global financial collapse/ great recession continue to provide insights into the ongoing health care crisis.  Let me start with a small item from the Dow Jones Newswire this week:The California Public Employees' Retirement System said it opposes the re-election of two Citigroup Inc. (C) directors, in part because of their roles in the recent financial crisis. The nation's largest public pension fund, which owns about 61.2 million Citigroup shares, plans to cast 'withhold' votes for board nominees Andrew Liveris, chairman and chief executive of Dow Chemical Co. (... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3494265 Wed, 21 Apr 2010 18:30:00 +0100 3494265 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3448801&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F04%2F08%2Fthe-use-of-overseas-doctors-in-providing-out%25e2%2580%2593of%25e2%2580%2593hours-services-fifth-report-of-session-2009%25e2%2580%259310-report-together-with-formal-minutes-oral-and-written-evidence%2F Title: <!– The use of overseas doctors in providing out–of–hours services: Fifth Report of Session 2009–10: Report, together with formal minutes, oral and written evidence Skinny: Report that: Criticises legislation which prevents the GMC from assessing either the clinical or language skills of EEA doctors. Notes it cannot be taken for granted that EEA doctors have appropriate clinical skills since the standards expected of general practice in the UK do not necessarily correspond with those of other European countries. Identifies the key role for PCTs vital in carrying out thorough checks on the clinical and language skills of EEA doctors and that these have not been consistently applied nationaly. Identifies a persormance management failiure on the part of SHAs to ensure P... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3448801 Thu, 08 Apr 2010 06:59:52 +0100 3448801 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3398864&cid=t_116226_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fmembers-of-board-of-now-bankrupt-lehman.html In our own Providence Journal, Michael Hiltzik commented about the Valukas report on the fall of the once proud Lehman Brothers.  He asserted that one of the lessons learned from the case is the "folly of relying on self-discipline and self-regulation in the financial markets," particularly given the irresponsibility of the top leaders of financial corporations. In particular, I’d love to hear an argument for allowing any of Lehman’s independent directors, who seem seldom to have asked a penetrating question, ever to serve on a corporate board again.As I write, those 10 directors, who pulled down better than $100,000 cash a year to sit jointly in the driver’s seat for Lehman’s race to disaster, still boast at least 15 company directorships among them. Does this make ... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3398864 Tue, 23 Mar 2010 21:41:00 +0100 3398864 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3370400&cid=t_116226_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F9MDjQ3CZOvo%2F By David BoazRelated to my post below on whether last-second shots with time expiring, while good for basketball, might be bad for governance, Steven Horwitz offers a compelling hypothetical in academic governance at Coordination Problem: …Nonetheless, the leadership insists this curriculum change is crucially important to the future of the institution and if only the Faculty Senate would pass it and put it in place, the faculty and students would then realize just how good it is.  In fact, the faculty leadership, working with the clear approval of the president and VPAA, are now scouring Roberts Rules of Order to find a series of sure-to-be controversial parliamentary maneuvers to get the Faculty Senate to approve the new curriculum without it ever going to the full faculty, and p... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3370400 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:51:48 +0100 3370400 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3366187&cid=t_116226_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2F6OWgvF3mIog%2F By Lynn Shapiro Snyder. There is nothing like a cold, hard statistic to hang your hat on. What better way is there to drive home your point in the courtroom, the conference room, the Senate chamber? But as much as numbers illuminate, they also obfuscate. Take, for instance, a recent New York Times article announcing that women outnumber men on our  nation’s payrolls. We have reached an historic milestone. But before you break out the champagne, take a closer look. You actually do not need to search very hard. In fact, all it will take is a glance—one brief, passing glance into any of the thousands of corporate board rooms across America. As of 2009, a wan 15.2 percent of Fortune 500 board members were women.  That means, for the average 10-person corporate board, there aren’t even ... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3366187 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:31:29 +0100 3366187 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3366147&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F15%2Ffurther-guidance-on-the-assurance-and-approach-process-for-pct-proposals-on-community-services%2F Title: Further guidance on the assurance and approach process for PCT proposals on community services Skinny: The NHS Operating Framework 2010/11 set a requirement for proposals for future forms of PCT-provided community services to be agreed with SHAs by 31 March 2010. Further guidance has been published that aims to support: PCTs as they develop proposals for the future shape of their community services; SHAs in their role to assure PCT proposals for community provider organisational form. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 12p. Published: 05/02/2010 Filed under: Grey Literature, NHS, Primary Care Tagged: Community Services, Corporate Governance, Grey Literature, NHS, Organisational Design, Primary Care (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3366147 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 01:00:27 +0100 3366147 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3354246&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F11%2Fquality-accounts-2-reviewing-nhs-foundation-trusts%25e2%2580%2599-2009-experiences-and-plans%2F This report re-visits the concept of the circle of quality improvement and identifies how this process has been applied. Key findings are: A wide range of priorities and performance indicators are being used nationally under Darzi headings of Safety, Effectiveness and Patient Experience. Stakeholder Engagement is in its infancy, first year priorities have been set by boards and clinicians, the second round of quality accounts will see the implementation of stakeholder engagement. A large range of processes is being emplyed to embed quality throughout organisations e.g. Quality Baords, Subcommittees, Quality Review Panels, Monthly Monitoring of the Accounts, Ward to Board Reporting, Workforce development and Reward Schemes. Mental Health Trusts lead the way in stakeholder engagement and de... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3354246 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 06:56:32 +0100 3354246 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3354248&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F11%2Fcommissioning-for-qualitiy-delivering-national-priorities%2F Title: Commissioning for quality – delivering national priorities The Skinny: This Briefing highlights some actions commissioners can take to ensure they secure best value for patients and taxpayers when commissioning for two NHS priorities in 2010/11: delivering same-sex accommodation (DSSA) as part of the thrust towards high-quality care; and improving cleanliness and further reducing healthcare associated infections (HCAI). Key Points: Drafting effective contracts supports the delivery of key HCAI and DSSA objectives as well as offering a solid foundation on which to build sound commissioner and provider relationships. Clinically-driven service specifications that include HCAI and DSSA add value to the commissioning process and support the achievement of desired outcomes. Buildin... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3354248 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:31:53 +0100 3354248 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3354249&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F11%2Fcommissioning-gp-out-of-hours-services%2F Title: Commissioning GP out-of-hours services The Skinny: Briefing that summarises recommendations made to PCTs following the conclusion of the inquest into the death of out-of-hours (OOH) patient David Gray. DH performers list interim guidance – Department of Health has issued interim guidance which highlights a list of English language qualifications PCTs could use to assess applicants’ suitability for inclusion.  Reminds PCTs that they are responsible for checking doctors have the necessary skills and experience to be admitted to performers lists. General Practice Out-of-Hours Services Project to consider and assess current arrangements report recommends reviewing performance management increasing the frequency of contractual and quality review meetings with providers if nece... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3354249 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:12:52 +0100 3354249 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3354250&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F11%2Ftackling-problem-drug-use%2F Title: Tackling problem drug use (Executive Summary) Skinny: National Audit Office report that identifies good progress in a number of areas, including an increasing number of problem drug users in effective treatment and an increasing number leaving treatment free from dependency. Without an evaluative framework for the Strategy as a whole, the NAO is not able to conclude positively on value for money. Nevertheless, the NAO note that the Drug Treatment Outcomes Research Study (DTORS) has estimated the benefit-cost ratio for drug treatment, the largest element of spending, at 2.5 to 1 and that the programme has delivered some significant successes. There are an estimated third of a million problem drug users in England. As part of an increased emphasis on drug treatment, funding rose from ... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3354250 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:32:50 +0100 3354250 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3275761&cid=t_116226_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Funiversity-president-but-no-longer.html A frequent topic on Health Care Renewal is how leaders of not-for-profit health care organizations now frequently value their "margin," that is, revenue generation more than mission.  (One good example here shows how medical school leaders value faculty most for how much money they bring in, rather than the quality of their teaching, research, or patient care.)  "Masters of the Universe" as Leaders of Academic MedicineAs we have cast about for reasons behind this important and unfortunate transformation, we noticed that many of the members of the boards of trustees of some of the most prestigious universities that house medical schools, medical schools, and teaching hospitals seemed to be leaders in the finance industry. The importance of that finding became more relevant after t... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3275761 Mon, 15 Feb 2010 22:48:00 +0100 3275761 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3254419&cid=t_116226_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Feverything-is-up-to-date-in-kansas-city.html They say everything is up to date in Kansas City, so maybe it should not be a surprise that it is the source of a new and colorful tale of how leaders of health care organizations are different from you and me.  The Kansas City Star reported about the professional life of the recently fired CEO of Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences:Hiring the CEOThere’s an often-told story about how Karen Pletz, the fired president of the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, got her job in the first place.On a flight from Phoenix to Kansas City in 1995, a stranger sat next to her: Jack Weaver, then chairman of the university’s board of trustees.Pletz, with a law degree and a career in banking, so impressed Weaver that he proposed she join the board. When the tru... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3254419 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:43:00 +0100 3254419 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3248516&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F02%2F06%2Fchildrens-community-equipment-proposals-for-funding-and-dh-workshop%2F Title: Children’s community equipment: proposals for funding and DH workshop Skinny: Dear Colleague letter inviting each strategic health authority to submit proposals for funding for innovative activities within and across PCTs to help achieve transformation of children’s community equipment and related services, taking account of the findings of a recent consultant’s report. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 94p. Published: 03/02/2010 Filed under: Children, Disabilities, Grey Literature, NHS, Young People Tagged: Children, Disabilities, Equipment, Governance, Grey Literature, Management, Procurement, Young People (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3248516 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 20:18:22 +0100 3248516 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3248518&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F02%2F06%2Fmodels-and-options-for-childrens-equipment-and-related-services-csed-consultants-report%2F Title: Models and options for children’s equipment and related services: CSED consultant’s report Skinny: Independent report for the Department of Health that identifies in many areas the commissioning and provision of children’s equipment is poor. It analyses the various factors underlying this, concluding that mainstreaming transformation of children’s community equipment services would require change in four major areas: governance, pathways, sourcing strategies and management of equipment once bought (equipment stores). Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 94p. Published: 03/02/2010 Filed under: Children, Disabilities, Grey Literature, NHS, Young People Tagged: Care Pathways, Children, Disabilities, Equipment, Governance, Grey Literature, Management, Procurement, Youn... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3248518 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 19:09:35 +0100 3248518 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3212266&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F27%2Fchecklist-for-reporting-managing-and-investigating-information-governance-serious-untoward-incidents%2F Title: Checklist for reporting, managing and investigating information governance serious untoward incidents Skinny: Guidance for all NHS staff in managing information governance serious untoward incidents. It should be used in conjunction with previous issued guidance and local guidance issued by the SHAs. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 16p. Published: 22/01/2010 Posted in Clinical Governance, Ethics, Grey Literature, Health and Safety, NHS, Quality, Risk Evaluation Tagged: Clinical Governance, Grey Literature, Guidance, Serious Untoward Incidents (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3212266 Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:48:34 +0100 3212266 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3189095&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F20%2Ffunding-and-performance-of-healthcare-systems-in-the-four-countries-of-the-uk-before-and-after-devolution%2F Title: Funding and performance of healthcare systems in the four countries of the UK before and after devolution (Summary Briefing) Skinny: Examines the impact of devolution by studying key performance indicators for the NHS in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland at three time points – 1996/7, 2002/3 and 2006/7. in doing so it undertakes a completely new comparison of NHS performance in the English regions and the devolved countries. Performance was tracked against a number of key indicators, including expenditure, staffing levels, activity (outpatient appointments, inpatient admissions and day cases), crude productivity of staff and waiting times. The report suggests the NHS in England spends less on healthcare and has fewer doctors, nurses and managers per head of population ... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3189095 Wed, 20 Jan 2010 08:40:48 +0100 3189095 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3175821&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F15%2Fsupervision-support-and-safety-analysis-of-the-2008%25e2%2580%25932009-local-supervising-authorities%25e2%2580%2599-annual-reports-to-the-nursing-midwifery-council%2F Title: Supervision, support and safety: Analysis of the 2008–2009 local supervising authorities’ annual reports to the Nursing & Midwifery Council Skinny: Nursing and Midwifery Council report that finds that there have been increases in midwifery ratios in some areas and good practice regarding service development for some of the most vulnerable families. It express’ concerns regarding: Rise in birth rates and increasing complexity of births in many LSAs Increasing numbers of experienced midwives and supervisors of midwives (SoMs) who may leave the workforce as they approach retirement age Quality and variability of maternity data which is used to monitor trends and public health outcomes, and which is collected either manually or by multiple maternity information systems In... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3175821 Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:38:23 +0100 3175821 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3153332&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F08%2F8095%2F Title: Use of medication in care homes Skinny: Dear colleague letter identifying that recently published research commissioned by the DH as part of the patient safety programme identified considerable scope for improvement of prescription, dispensing, administration and monitoring of medicines in care homes. Key recommendations included clear local leadership and improved inter-professional communication Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 2p. Published: 07/01/2010 Posted in Clinical Governance, Communication, Grey Literature, Older People, Pharmacy, Quality, Residential Care Tagged: Clinical Governance, Communication, Dear Colleague Letters, Grey Literature, Health and Safety, Leadership, Pharmacy, Prescriptions, Quality, Residential Care (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3153332 Fri, 08 Jan 2010 04:01:55 +0100 3153332 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3142476&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F05%2Fthe-operating-framework-for-the-nhs-in-england-201011%2F Title: The operating framework for the NHS in England 2010/11 The Skinny: Briefing  from the NHS Confederation detailing key points of the operating framework, the white paper and the Pre-Budget Report, these being: National priorities remain the same as last year. Average funding growth for PCTs will be 5.5 per cent for 2010/11. There will be a real-terms freeze in funding for frontline services – defined as 95 per cent of the NHS budget – with cuts to the remainder in the following two years. £10bn of efficiency savings are required by 2012/13, as an interim milestone towards £15bn–£20bn of efficiencies by 2013/14. These savings will be recycled back into the NHS. PCTs are required to agree proposals for the future organisational structure of PCT provided community services wi... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3142476 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:43:19 +0100 3142476 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3126553&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F29%2Fnew-horizons-the-next-stage-of-mental-health-policy%2F Title: New Horizons: the next stage of mental health policy The Skinny: Summarises the key points of New Horizons, and focuses on what the strategy means for the NHS.  Key points: New Horizons establishes the Government’s vision for improving mental well-being and improving adult mental health services in England. No new targets for public services or commitments on future funding. Focus on public mental health initiatives include targeting young people, tackling stigma and improving employment and housing outcomes. Identifies need to improve quality and efficiency, and focus on recovery. The need to improve access for vulnerable and hard-to-reach groups, such as veterans, is key. Identifies need to improve transitions and early intervention. Publisher: NHS Confederation Size of Publi... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3126553 Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:11:07 +0100 3126553 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3115032&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F23%2Fan-overview-of-the-new-arrangements-under-part-ix-of-the-drug-tariff-for-the-provision-of-stoma-and-urology-appliances-and-related-services-in-primary-care%2F Title: An overview of the new arrangements under Part IX of the Drug Tariff for the provision of stoma and urology appliances, and related services, in primary care Skinny: Looks at provision for new essential services to be provided by all pharmacies and appliance contractors including emergency supply of appliances at the request of the prescriber and when supplying certain appliances, a home delivery service, provision of wipes and disposal bags and provision of specialist advice. Appliance contractors will also be able to offer repeat dispensing and will be required to operate a system of clinical governance, similar to pharmacies. SI 2009 No. 3340. National Health Service, England. The National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services) (Appliances) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 makes th... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3115032 Wed, 23 Dec 2009 15:20:14 +0100 3115032 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3111369&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F22%2Fusing-the-cquin-payment-framework-an-addendum-to-the-policy-guidance-for-201011%2F Title: Using the CQUIN payment framework – an addendum to the policy guidance for 2010/11 Skinny: The Commissioning for Quality and Innovation (CQUIN) payment framework makes a proportion of providers’ income conditional on quality and innovation.   This is an addendum to the Using the Commissioning for Quality and Innovation (CQUIN) payment framework – 2008 guidance that should be read in the context of the NHS operating framework for England for 2010/11 and the national standard contracts for acute, ambulance, community, mental health and learning disability services. These contracts require commissioners to make 1.5% of contract value available for providers to earn if they achieve locally agreed quality improvement and innovation goals and, for acute providers, two nati... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3111369 Tue, 22 Dec 2009 06:51:40 +0100 3111369 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3104973&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F19%2Fmid-staffordshire-nhs-foundation-trust-6-months-progress-report%2F Title: Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust: 6 months progress report Skinny: The former Healthcare Commission investigated mortality rates in emergency care at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust. The results of their report were published in March 2009. This is the second of three formal checks on progress at the trust prior to a a full review against the trust’s action plan to be undertaken in 2010. Publisher: Care Quality Commission Size of Publication: 24p. Published: 17/12/2009 Posted in Clinical Governance, Hospitals, NHS, Quality, Standards (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3104973 Sat, 19 Dec 2009 06:13:58 +0100 3104973 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3100732&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F18%2Ftransfer-of-commissioning-and-funding-of-social-care-for-adults-with-learning-disabilities-from-the-nhs-to-local-government-final-returns-for-200910-by-15-january-2010%2F Title: Transfer of commissioning and funding of social care for adults with learning disabilities from the NHS to local Government: final returns for 2009/10 by 15 January 2010 Skinny: This letter to lead commissioners in primary care trusts and local authorities gives further guidance on the transfer of funding and commissioning of social care for adults with learning disabilities from the NHS to local authorities.  It informs them that Final returns for 2009/10 must be completed and returned to the Department by Friday 15 January 2010. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 6p. Published: 17/12/2009 Additional Documents: Proforma for return by 15 January 2010 Proforma for return by 31 March 2010 Letter to strategic health authorities and deputy regional directors of social care Posted... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3100732 Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:14:23 +0100 3100732 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3096796&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F17%2Fnhs-operating-framework-for-201011-letter-to-social-partnership-forum-and-national-stakeholder-forum%2F Title: NHS operating framework for 2010/11 (letter to Social Partnership Forum and National Stakeholder Forum) Skinny: Letter introducing the NHS operating framework 2010/11 to the Social Partnership Forum and National Stakeholder Forum Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 3p. Published: 16/12/2009 Posted in Acute Services, Ambulance Services, Decision Making, Demand, Equity, Financial Management, Governance, Grey Literature, Health Economics, Hospitals, Inequalities in Health, Management, NHS, Poverty, Primary Care, Quality, Social Exclusion, Social Inclusion Tagged: Access, Deprivation, Equity, Grey Literature, H1N1, Hospitals, Inequalities, Infection Control, Influenza, NHS, Pandemic, Patient Experience, Poverty, Primary Care, Priorities, Quality, Staff Satisfaction, Stakeholder Engagemen... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3096796 Thu, 17 Dec 2009 08:30:38 +0100 3096796 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3096797&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F17%2Fthe-operating-framework-for-201011-for-the-nhs-in-england%2F Title: The operating framework for 2010/11 for the NHS in England Skinny: Letter introducing the NHS operating framework 2010/11 to Chief Executives in the NHS. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 3p. Published: 16/12/2009 Posted in Acute Services, Decision Making, Financial Management, Governance, Grey Literature, Management, NHS, Primary Care, Quality Tagged: Access, Deprivation, Equity, Grey Literature, H1N1, Hospitals, Inequalities, Infection Control, Influenza, NHS, Pandemic, Patient Experience, Poverty, Primary Care, Priorities, Quality, Staff Satisfaction, Stakeholder Engagement, Waiting Times (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3096797 Thu, 17 Dec 2009 08:00:21 +0100 3096797 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3092643&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F16%2Fthe-nhs-operating-framework-for-england-for-201011%2F Title: The NHS operating framework for England for 2010/11 Skinny: Establishes the priorities for the NHS for the year ahead to enable them to begin their planning. For the third year in a row, the national priorities in the operating framework remain the same, providing important stability. The five priorities continue to be: improving cleanliness and reducing healthcare associated infections; improving access through achievement of the 18-week referral to treatment pledge and improving access (including at evenings and weekends) to GP services; keeping adults and children well, improving their health and reducing health inequalities; improving patient experience, staff satisfaction, and engagement; and preparing to respond in a state of emergency such as an outbreak of pandemic flu, lea... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3092643 Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:39:24 +0100 3092643 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3089206&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F15%2Fclinical-governance-an-international-journal-2009-volume-14-no-4%2F contents page Fade Fave: “Quantity” versus “quality” dilemma of health staff in NHS UK: Does clinical governance provide a solution? Fade Skinny: Identifies that quantative targets do not lead to service improvement as a result of the need to invest more time to see qualitative improvements come through.  Reductions in waiting lists may be achieved but this is at the cost of clinical errors. (Print copy available at Fade Library) Posted in Current Awareness, Journals, Quality Tagged: Clinical Governance, Current Awareness, Journals (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3089206 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:30:26 +0100 3089206 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3089209&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F15%2Fpandemic-h1n1-2009-influenza-clinical-management-guidelines-for-pregnancy%2F Title: Pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza: clinical management guidelines for pregnancy Skinny: Updates  provisional guidance for the clinical management of pregnant women with symptoms of influenza–like illness, severe influenza and complications, provided in 2007 by the British Infection Society, British Thoracic Society and Health Protection Agency in collaboration with the Department of Health. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 27p. Published: 14/12/2009 Posted in Clinical Governance, Clinical Guidelines, Grey Literature, Influenza, Pandemic Tagged: Clinical Guidelines, Grey Literature, H1N1, Influenza, Pandemic (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3089209 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:00:52 +0100 3089209 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3089210&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F15%2Fpandemic-h1n1-2009-influenza-clinical-management-guidelines-for-adults-and-children-2%2F Title: Pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza: Clinical management guidelines for adults and children Skinny: Updates provisional guidance for the clinical management of adults and children with symptoms of influenza–like illness, severe influenza and complications, provided in 2007 by the British Infection Society, British Thoracic Society and Health Protection Agency in collaboration with the Department of Health. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 25p. Published: 14/12/2009 Posted in Clinical Governance, Clinical Guidelines, Grey Literature, Influenza, Pandemic Tagged: Clinical Guidelines, Grey Literature, H1N1, Influenza, Pandemic (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3089210 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:30:59 +0100 3089210 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3089212&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F15%2Fsimplification-plan-year-four-2009%2F Title: Simplification Plan Year Four 2009 Skinny: Describes DH continuing efforts to deliver the Government’s 25 per cent target for reducing the administrative burden of compliance with regulations affecting the private sector. Work also continues to reform the regulatory framework for health and adult social care over the next year. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 59p. Published: 14/12/2009 Posted in Clinical Governance, Governance, Grey Literature, Standards Tagged: Bureaucracy, Clinical Governance, Department of Health, Grey Literature, Regulations (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3089212 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:30:54 +0100 3089212 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3089213&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F15%2Fstrengthening-national-commissioning-a-consultation-document%2F Title: Strengthening national commissioning: a consultation document Skinny: Consultation seeking views from the NHS, industry and other stakeholders on the Government’s proposals for an incremental development of some of the arrangements proposed in the Carter Review; in particular reshaping the membership and role of the National Commissioning Group (NCG). Views are required by19th February 2009. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 45p. Published: 11/12/2009 Additional Documents: Response form Impact Assessment Posted in Commissioning, Grey Literature, NHS Tagged: Commissioning, Consultations, Governance, Grey Literature (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3089213 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:00:27 +0100 3089213 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3089219&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F15%2Fcommissioning-for-quality%2F Title: Commissioning for quality The Skinny: Focusing on commissioners’ key role: acting on behalf of the populations they serve to ensure local healthcare services are safe, effective and accessible and that quality of care in and patients’ experience of the NHS continues to improve.  Key issues identified are: Commissioners should play a defined and unambiguous leadership role in improving the quality of care across their local healthcare system. The three roles of commissioners are to promote quality improvement, to assure themselves that the services they commission are of appropriate quality, and to intervene where adequate quality and safety standards are not being met. PCTs can improve the scope and effectiveness of their quality improvement and assurance processes by coll... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3089219 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:00:49 +0100 3089219 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3089225&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F14%2Fgmc-affiliates-pilots-final-report-of-the-kpmg-evaluation%2F Title: GMC affiliates pilots: final report of the KPMG evaluation Skinny: Independent evaluation of two pilots introducing a system of GMC Affiliates aimed at closing the regulatory gap between local workplace management of doctors and national professional regulation. The purpose of this evaluation is to produce feedback and provide an assessment of the feasibility, potential benefits, costs and wider impacts of the introduction of GMC Affiliates at a national level. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 63p. Published: 30/11/2009 Posted in Clinical Governance, Ethics, Grey Literature, NHS, Primary Care, Quality Tagged: Clinical Governance, Cost Effectiveness, Ethics, Grey Literature, Professional Discipline, Regulation (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3089225 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:00:37 +0100 3089225 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3089227&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F14%2Fnhs-2010-2015-from-good-to-great-preventative-people-centred-productive%2F Title: NHS 2010 – 2015: from good to great: preventative,people-centred,productive Skinny: Five-year plan to reshape the NHS to meet the challenge of delivering high quality health care in a tough financial environment. The report describes practical measures to meet the demands of an aging population and the increased prevalence of lifestyle diseases. The vision is for an NHS that is organised around patients whether at home, in a community setting or in hospital. There will be a renewed focus on prevention with the ambition of delivering cost-effective high quality care across the service Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 64p. Published: 10/12/2009 Posted in Clinical Governance, Corporate Governance, Economics, Financial Management, Governance, Grey Literature, Management, NHS, Pr... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3089227 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:00:45 +0100 3089227 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3084738&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F14%2Fpatient-safety-fact-sheet-pct-providers%2F Title: Patient safety fact sheet – PCT providers The Skinny: Identifies the 7 questions a board should ask about patient safety in an PCT Provider Organisation: Does everyone understand the importance of patient safety? Do we really have an open and fair culture? Are we actively encouraging reporting of incidents? Do we get the right information? Are we always open when things go wrong? Do we learn from patient safety incidents? Are we actively implementing national guidance and safety alerts? For each question this bulletin details what good looks like. Publisher: NHS Confederation Size of Publication: 2p Published: 17/11/2009 Posted in Clinical Governance, Governance, Grey Literature, NHS, Primary Care Tagged: Grey Literature, Health and Safety, Management, NHS, Patient Safety, P... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3084738 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 07:00:58 +0100 3084738 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2993723&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11%2F15%2Fmaking-clinical-research-less-of-a-trial-eu-consultation-on-the-functioning-of-the-clinical-trials-directive%2F Title: Making clinical research less of a trial: EU consultation on the functioning of the Clinical Trials Directive The Skinny: The European Commission has launched a public consultation seeking views on how to improve the functioning of the Clinical Trials Directive.  This NHS Confederation Consultation identifies the following key questions to be answered: How could procedures for multinational trials be effectively streamlined? What changes could improve processes relating to ethics committees’ assessments? How could inconsistencies in the way the existing Directive is applied in different EU countries be overcome? Should a more risk-based approach to clinical trials be introduced, and how could a system for differentiating risk operate? How could the participation of non-commer... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2993723 Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:31:03 +0100 2993723 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2993727&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11%2F15%2Fnothing-but-the-truth%2F Title: Nothing but the truth? Skinny: Sets out important issues as the basis for discussion on how to ensure data about local public services is fit for purpose. It asks if citizens, along with frontline staff, managers, politicians, central government and local public service regulators, can have confidence in the data they rely on. And if not, what needs to be done about it? Publisher: Audit Commission Size of Publication: 40p Published: 05/11/2009 Posted in Clinical Governance, Ethics, Grey Literature, Public Sector, Quality Tagged: Clinical Governance, Ethics, Grey Literature, Information Systems, Public Sector, Quality, Statistical Data (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2993727 Sun, 15 Nov 2009 09:53:09 +0100 2993727 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2993730&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11%2F15%2Fresponse-to-the-report-and-recommendations-of-the-review-of-the-conduct-function-of-the-general-social-care-council%2F Title: Response to the report and recommendations of the review of the conduct function of the General Social Care Council Skinny: Government’s response to the report and recommendations of the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence’s (CHRE) review of the General Social Care Council’s (GSCC) conduct function. The review was commissioned following the discovery of a backlog of conduct cases at the GSCC. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 15p Published: 05/11/2009 Posted in Clinical Governance, Governance, Grey Literature, Local Authorities, Quality, Social Services Tagged: Clinical Governance, Governance, Grey Literature, Management, Professional Discipline, Quality (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2993730 Sun, 15 Nov 2009 09:21:37 +0100 2993730 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2993731&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11%2F15%2Freport-on-the-general-social-care-council%2F Title: Report on the General Social Care Council Skinny: Review of the conduct function of the General Social Care Council (GSCC), the social care regulator for England. Publisher: Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence Size of Publication: 40p Published: 05/11/2009 Posted in Clinical Governance, Governance, Grey Literature, Quality, Social Services Tagged: Clinical Governance, Governance, Grey Literature, Management, Professional Discipline, Quality (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2993731 Sun, 15 Nov 2009 09:16:53 +0100 2993731 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2989106&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11%2F13%2Fthe-new-research-governance-landscape%2F Title: The new research governance landscape The Skinny: NHS Confederation briefing on the changing research governance landscape. The Department of Health’s Best Research for Best Health strategy has made significant strides in modernising the research governance landscape. A single system for applying for the permissions and approvals required for research has been established. The NIHR Coordinated System for gaining NHS Permissions should make processes much faster and simpler. The National Research Ethics Service is currently piloting a scheme for proportional review. The research passport scheme has been rolled out across the UK and helps clarify NHS and higher education institution (HEI) responsibilities as employers. Publisher: NHS Confederation Size of Publication: 8p P... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2989106 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:03:21 +0100 2989106 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2950683&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11%2F02%2Fpandemic-h1n1-2009-influenza-clinical-management-guidelines-for-adults-and-children%2F Title: Pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza: clinical management guidelines for adults and children Skinny: Updates provisional guidance for the clinical management of adults and children with symptoms of influenza–like illness, severe influenza and complications, provided in 2007 by the British Infection Society, British Thoracic Society and Health Protection Agency in collaboration with the Department of Health. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 25p Published: 30/10/2009 Posted in Clinical Governance, Clinical Guidelines, Grey Literature, Influenza, NHS, Pandemic Tagged: Children, Clinical Guidelines, Grey Literature, H1N1, Influenza, Pandemic (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2950683 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:05:36 +0100 2950683 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2950688&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11%2F02%2Fmeans-to-an-end%2F Title: Means to an end (summary) Skinny: Reviews the joint financing and integrated care arrangements between NHS bodies and councils with adult social care responsibilities. It builds on our previous publication, Clarifying joint financing arrangements, that explained the practical implications and legislative framework for joint financing. The focus is on on learning disability, mental health and older people – areas where service users most often need health and social care. It provides recommendations and good practice aiming to help national and local bodies better understand the options available, how to use them and to achieve better outcomes for service users. Publisher: Audit Commission Size of Publication: 68p Published: 29/10/2009 Posted in Decision Making, Disabilities, E... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2950688 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:03:03 +0100 2950688 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2930908&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F10%2F27%2Fmanaging-patients%25e2%2580%2599-medicines-after-discharge-from-hospital%2F Title: Managing patients’ medicines after discharge from hospital Skinny: Report that raises concerns that : GPs and hospitals do not always exchange enough information about medicines, and don’t share it on time. In a minority of GP practices (17%), administrative staff rather than clinical staff update records, and they don’t have the clinical skills to check whether medications are right. There’s not enough being done to talk to patients themselves about their medications, either when they’re discharged from hospital or in the longer term. Monitoring and learning from serious incidents is patchy. Publisher: Care Quality Commission Size of Publication: 56p Published: 27/10/2009 Tool: Managing patients’ medicine after discharge – self-assessment tool North West Report: Stu... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2930908 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0100 2930908 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2930916&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F10%2F27%2Fguidance-on-qualified-first-aiders%2F Title: Guidance on qualified first aiders Skinny: National Minimum Standards (NMS) state: ‘a qualified first aider should be available at all times’ (NMS 38.2 for Older People and 42.2 for Younger Adults). This guidance is aimed at providers so that they can ensure the right first aid provision for people who use their services. It explains the factors that a care service provider can take into account when doing a risk assessment to find out their first aid needs. These include: the needs of service users how likely it is that first aid will be needed what kind of first aid is likely to be needed Publisher: Care Quality Commission Size of Publication: 4p Published: 26/10/2009  Posted in Clinical Governance, First Aid, Governance, Grey Literature, Guidance, Private Sector, Pu... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2930916 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:02:47 +0100 2930916 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2927244&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F10%2F25%2Fthe-government%25e2%2580%2599s-response-to-the-health-select-committee%25e2%2580%2599s-report-on-the-use-of-management-consultants-in-the-nhs-and-the-department-of-health%2F Title: The Government’s Response to the Health Select Committee’s report on the use of management consultants in the NHS and the Department of Health Skinny: Government’s response to the House of Commons Health Select Committee’s report on the use of management consultants by the NHS and the Department of Health. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 8p Published: 22/10/2009 Posted in Corporate Governance, Governance, Grey Literature, Management, NHS Tagged: Consultants, Corporate Governance, Department of Health, Financial Management, Governance, Grey Literature, Management, NHS (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2927244 Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:01:32 +0100 2927244 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2924784&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F10%2F24%2Fthe-government-response-to-the-health-select-committee-report-patient-safety-2%2F Title: Government response to the Health Select Committee Report ‘Patient Safety’ Skinny: Sets out the Government’s response to the House of Commons Health Select Committee’s Report on Patient Safety. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 50p Published: 12/10/2009 Posted in Clinical Governance, Governance, Grey Literature, Health and Safety, NHS, Quality Tagged: Clinical Governance, Grey Literature, Health and Safety, NHS (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2924784 Sat, 24 Oct 2009 19:02:43 +0100 2924784 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2924785&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F10%2F24%2Falternative-provider-medical-services-directions-2009%2F Title: Alternative Provider Medical Services Directions 2009 Skinny: These Directions, which may be cited as the Alternative Provider Medical Services Directions 2009, are given to Primary Care Trusts in England and shall come into force on 17th September 2009 Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 12p Published: 12/10/2009 Posted in Legislation, NHS, Primary Care Tagged: Alternative Providers, Governance, Legislation, National Health Service Act 2006, Primary Care, Regulation (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2924785 Sat, 24 Oct 2009 19:01:56 +0100 2924785 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2923228&cid=t_116226_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Forganisational-ethics-policies-primer.html I regret that it took me so long to find an essay on "Organisational Ethics Policies" by Howard Whitton, available from the European U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Center. While it was written with international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) who "administer aid programs" in mind, it seems applicable to all kinds of NGOs and not-for-profit organizations, including those in health care. In the US, most medical schools and their parent universities, most hospitals and academic medical centers, essentially all medical societies and disease advocacy groups, and some insurance companies and managed care organizations are not-for-profit.The main points of the paper are its summaries of the basic elements of "effective ethics policies."First, such a policy- must first have unequivocal authori... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2923228 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:38:00 +0100 2923228 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2890578&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F10%2F14%2Fthe-government-response-to-the-health-select-committee-report-patient-safety%2F Title: The Government response to the Health Select Committee Report ‘Patient Safety’ Skinny: Sets out the Government’s response to the House of Commons Health Select Committee’s Report on Patient Safety. Identifies that patient safety is a core domain of quality and demands a system-wide effort. This requires a broad range of actions in organisational leadership, performance improvement, work-place safety, risk management and clinical engagement. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 48p Published: 13/10/2009 Posted in Clinical Governance, Grey Literature, NHS, Quality Tagged: Clinical Governance, Grey Literature, Health and Safety, NHS, Quality (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2890578 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:02:44 +0100 2890578 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2882969&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F10%2F12%2Fmental-health-factsheet-patient-safety%2F Title: Mental health factsheet: Patient safety The Skinny: Asks seven questions every board member should ask about patient safety in organisations providing mental health services. Does everyone understand the importance of patient safety? Do we have an open and fair culture? Are we actively encouraging the reporting of incidents? Do we get the right information? Are we always open when things go wrong? Do we learn from patient safety incidents? Are we actively implementing national guidance and safety alerts? Publisher: NHS Confederation Size of Publication: 6p Published: 08/10/2009 (Requires NHS Confederation Membership available to all Liverpool PCT staff) Posted in Clinical Governance, Governance, Grey Literature, Mental Health, NHS Tagged: Board, Boards of Management, Clinical Go... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2882969 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:48:58 +0100 2882969 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2882972&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F10%2F12%2Fthe-proposed-framework-for-quality-accounts%2F Title: Mental health factsheet: Patient safety The Skinny: Asks for views on the DH proposals for a framework for Quality Accounts, to inform the NHS Confederation response to the DH. Key issues are: Quality Accounts will be a requirement from 2010. In the first year, NHS trusts, foundation trusts and their private/voluntary sector equivalents will provide a Quality Account. They will be introduced for the primary and community care sectors from 2011. The estimated cost for a provider to produce a Quality Account is £14k–£22K. Boards will be responsible for the accuracy and completeness of their Quality Account and for compliance with regulations and guidance. There are a number of key issues where the DH is seeking input and it is imperative that the view of the service is ... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2882972 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:04:09 +0100 2882972 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2875969&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F10%2F09%2Fthe-primary-care-trust-medical-services-directions-2009%2F Title: The Primary Care Trust Medical Services Directions 2009 Skinny: These Directions, which may be cited as the Primary Care Trust Medical Services Directions 2009, are given to Primary Care Trusts in England; and shall come into force on 17th September 2009. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 17p Published: 08/10/2009 Posted in Governance, Legislation Tagged: Governance, Legilsation, Primary Care, Regulations (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2875969 Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:18:25 +0100 2875969 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2875973&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F10%2F09%2Fhealth-care-risk-report-2009-volume-15-number-10%2F Contents Page Fade Fave: A trigger tool to measure adverse events in primary care Fade Skinny: Details the design and use of a tool to assist with radpid casenote review to allow GP practices to prioritise safety improvement efforts and to track their effect over time. (Print copy held at the Fade Library) Posted in Current Awareness, Journals Tagged: Clinical Governance, Current Awareness, Health and Safety, Journals, Primary Care (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2875973 Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:17:22 +0100 2875973 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2865615&cid=t_116226_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fboard-of-trustees-or-social-club-for.html We just posted about the unlikely appointment of one Mr Robert K Steel as a trustee of the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. Mr Steel appears to have no particular expertise or experience in health care, and no special affinity for its values. On the other hand, Mr Steel was briefly the CEO of Wachovia who presided over that company's demise, despite his avowed goal of keeping it independent. Previously, he served as an Under Secretary of the Treasury during Secretary Henry Paulson's controversial bail-out of financial institutions. He also was Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Duke University during the time of the lacrosse scandal, and pledged his full support to the actions of its President (whom he had a personal role in hiring), including those that seemingly put preserving... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2865615 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:22:00 +0100 2865615 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2862445&cid=t_116226_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Ftrustee-of-what-caliber-for-hospital.html The Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, a prestigious institution focused on orthopedics and rheumatology, closely affiliated with Weill Cornell Medical College, just announced its newest trustee, whose qualifications for the position turn out to be just a wee bit curious. Here they are as described by the press release:He is a former CEO of WachoviaHospital for Special Surgery announced today that Robert K. Steel, former President and Chief Executive Officer of Wachovia Corporation, has been named a member of the hospital's Board of Trustees.Steel facilitated Wachovia's merger with Wells Fargo to create the second-largest retail brokerage in the country.Before then, he served in the Treasury DepartmentPrior to running Wachovia, Steel served in the U.S. Treasury Department as Under S... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2862445 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:00:00 +0100 2862445 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2823931&cid=t_116226_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fwhy-have-governing-boards-forsaken.html We have posted frequently about the governance and leadership of academic medical organizations. While one would think that health care organizations, and especially academic health care organizations ought to be held to a particularly high standard of governance, we have noted how their governance is often unrepresentative of key constituencies, opaque, unaccountable, unsupportive of the academic and health care mission, and not subject to codes of ethics. How the governance of organizations with such exemplary missions and sterling reputations got this way has been unclear.Now there are new insights from the ongoing discussion of one of the most interesting and controversial cases of disputed organizational governance. We have often come back to the example of Dartmouth College, of which... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2823931 Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:46:00 +0100 2823931 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2823917&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F23%2Fquality-reports-testing-exercise-evaluation%2F Title: Quality Reports Testing Exercise: Evaluation The Skinny: Survey commissioned by the Department of Health of the organisations that produced Quality Reports in 2008/09 and an evaluation of a selection of reports. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 151p Published: 22/09/2009 Posted in Clinical Governance, Governance, Grey Literature, Quality Tagged: Clinical Governance, Darzi Report, Darzi Review, Foundation Trusts, Quality, Quality Reports, Stakeholder Engagement (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2823917 Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:39:53 +0100 2823917 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2823918&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F23%2Fquality-accounts-patient-and-public-engagement-report%2F Title: Quality Accounts patient and public engagement report The Skinny: Ipsos MORI report on how best to engage patients and the public in Quality Accounts and the role of LINks. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 47p Published: 22/09/2009 Posted in Clinical Governance, Governance, NHS, Quality, Stakeholder Engagement Tagged: Clinical Governance, Darzi Report, Darzi Review, Foundation Trusts, Quality, Quality Reports, Stakeholder Engagement (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2823918 Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:21:35 +0100 2823918 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2823919&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F23%2Fwrightington-wigan-and-leigh-nhs-foundation-trust-quality-report%2F Title: Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust Quality Report 2008/09 The Skinny: Example quality report published via Monitor. Key principles that are important in developing quality reports and in due course the statutory quality accounts that have been identified are: Focus on quality improvement in each organisation: the reports provide an opportunity to set out how each NHS foundation trust intends to improve its own quality. Board ownership: across the eight NHS foundation trusts clear board ownership has led to ambitious board-driven quality improvement priorities, measures and programmes of work. Engagement with clinicians and patients: the priorities and metrics included in the quality report must be relevant and credible to clinicians within the organisation and help ... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2823919 Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:15:36 +0100 2823919 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2820174&cid=t_116226_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fsafety-net-medical-center-ceo-gets.html From theBostonChannel.com comes this story on executive compensation in a not-for-profit health care organization,Boston Medical Center – a financially troubled hospital – gave its outgoing CEO a one-time, nearly $3.5 million payment, in addition to her $1.3 million annual salary, Team 5 Investigates reported Friday.Elaine Ullian, 61, has led the city’s major 'safety net' hospital for the last 15 years. She recently announced she will retire when her contract expires in January.The hospital's financial situation is such that hospital leaders say it could face closure in the years ahead. It is currently suing the Executive Office of Health and Human Services over how it gets paid for treating poor and uninsured patients.Team 5 Investigates discovered, in a review of the hospital’s f... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2820174 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:16:00 +0100 2820174 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2803841&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F17%2Fguidance-for-remuneration-committees-pay-framework-for-very-special-managers-in-strategic-and-special-health-authorities-primary-care-trusts-and-ambulance-trusts%2F Title: Guidance for remuneration committees. Pay framework for very special managers in strategic and special health authorities, primary care trusts and ambulance trusts The Skinny: Guidance intended for the use of Remuneration Committees in operating the pay framework for very senior managers in SHAs, PCTs, ATs and SpHAs. Additionally, ENDPBs, while not covered by the Pay Framework are strongly encouraged to use this guidance when operating their own pay arrangements for VSMs. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 14p Published: 16/09/2009 Supporting Letter: Pay framework for very senior managers letter Posted in Corporate Governance, Financial Management, Governance, Grey Literature, Management, NHS, Pay Tagged: Corporate Governance, Grey Literature, Management, Pay (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2803841 Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:53:38 +0100 2803841 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2796368&cid=t_116226_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fmaking-health-care-more-representative.html On Health Care Renewal, we have often shown how the governance of health care organizations may be unaccountable, unrepresentative of relevant constituencies, opaque, and not subject to ethical standards. Conversely, we have repeated the need to make the governance of health care organizations accountable, representative, transparent, and ethical. Meanwhile, our US debate about health care reform seems to be driven by leaders of powerful health care organizations, while common citizens need to scream to be heard.Maybe we could benefit from a lesson from another country. As reported in the Bulletin of the WHO, Thailand seems to have found a way to get ordinary citizens and members of civil society involved in a civil, organized health care discussion.For Dr Suwit Wibulpolprasert, chairman o... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2796368 Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:48:00 +0100 2796368 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2778350&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F09%2Freview-of-the-medicines-and-healthcare-products-regulatory-authority-mhra%2F Title: Review of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA) The Skinny: A review of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to ensure they are fit for purpose and are operating in the most efficient way, carried out between October 2008 and March 2009. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 51p Published: 08/09/2009 Posted in Grey Literature, NHS, Quality Tagged: Corporate Governance, Governance, Grey Literature, Quality (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2778350 Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:23:13 +0100 2778350 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2772487&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F07%2Fclinical-governance-an-international-journal-2009-volume-14-no-3%2F contents page Fade Fave: Clinical governance in operation – everybody’s business: a proposed framework Fade Skinny: Aims to describe a practical framework for the implementation of clinical governance by seamless merging of the managerial and clinical imperatives around clinical governance (Print copy available at Fade Library) Posted in Clinical Governance, Current Awareness, Journals Tagged: Clinical Governance, Current Awareness, Journals (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2772487 Mon, 07 Sep 2009 13:16:54 +0100 2772487 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2768618&cid=t_116226_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fcaptains-outrageous-for-cape-annes.html While on a brief vacation on lovely Cape Anne, Massachusetts, one of my daily automated Google searches provided an article of local interest. The person nominated to be CEO of the local hospital system had been at the center of controversy while in his previous position as leader of a hospital system in Cincinnatti, Ohio. When I got back, I put some relevant terms into Google, and lo and behold, came up with one of the more complicated and colorful, if unhappy stories about problems with health care leadership and goverance I have seen lately. So, to the tune of "lions and tigers and bears, oh my...."Let me start with some background, and then to try to tell this story chronologically, noting issues as they came into public view. Northeast Health System is a regional hospital system in no... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2768618 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 17:13:00 +0100 2768618 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2765962&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F04%2Fmemorandum-of-understanding-%25e2%2580%259cmemorandum%25e2%2580%259d-between-the-care-quality-commission-%25e2%2580%259ccqc%25e2%2580%259d-and-the-independent-regulator-of-nhs-foundation-trusts-%25e2%2580%259cmonitor%25e2%2580%259d%2F Title:Memorandum of understanding (“Memorandum”) between the Care Quality Commission (“CQC”) and the Independent Regulator of NHS Foundation Trusts (“Monitor”) The Skinny: Sets out the framework for the working relationship between the CQC and Monitor. Publisher: Care Quality Commission Size of Publication: 17p Published: 03/09/2009 Posted in Clinical Governance, Corporate Governance, Grey Literature, Health and Safety, Hospitals, NHS, Quality Tagged: Clinical Governance, Corporate Governance, Foundation Trusts, Grey Literature, NHS, Quality (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2765962 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 09:02:57 +0100 2765962 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2751841&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F01%2Fpayment-by-results-data-assurance-framework-200809%2F Title: Payment by Results data assurance framework 2008/09 The Skinny: Presents the key findings and analysis of the 2008/09 national clinical coding audit programme managed by the Audit Commission under the Payment by Results (PbR) Data Assurance Framework. It shows that the number of errors made by NHS trusts under the Payment by Results (PbR) system is falling, but there are continuing concerns about the poor quality of some medical records. Publisher: Audit Commission Size of Publication: 48p Published: 24/08/2009 Additional Documents Supplementary analysis Independent sector pilot briefing Improving clinical records and clinical coding together North West Supplements Sefton PCT (5NJ): inpatient audit results 2008/09 Stockport PCT: inpatient audit results 2008/09 Posted in Finan... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2751841 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:20:13 +0100 2751841 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2751845&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F01%2Fguidelines-for-the-clinical-management-of-people-refusing-food-in-immigration-removal-centres-and-prisons%2F Title: Guidelines for the clinical management of people refusing food in immigration removal centres and prisons The Skinny: Information, for health professionals in prisons and immigration removal centres, on the physical effects of food refusal, the most effective practical and clinical management of individuals refusing to eat and drink, legal aspects and the relevance of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. It also addresses the considerable dangers and risks associated with refeeding individuals who have been starving but who then decide to eat again. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 51p Published: 28/08/2009 Posted in Clinical Governance, Clinical Guidelines, Diet, Ethics, Grey Literature, Legislation, Mental Health, Prison Health Services, Prisons Tagged: Asylum Seekers, Clinical Guide... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2751845 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:37:02 +0100 2751845 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2751847&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F01%2Fpatients-not-numbers-people-not-statistics%2F Title: Patients Not Numbers, People Not statistics The Skinny: Report from the Patients Association showing a consistent pattern of shocking standards of care and calling on the Government and the Care Quality Commission to conduct an urgent review of the standards of basic care being received by patients in hospital.  It demands stricter supervision and regulation of hospital care. Publisher: Patient’s Association Size of Publication: 78p Published: 24/08/2009 Posted in Clinical Governance, Ethics, Hospitals, NHS, Nursing, Older People, Quality Tagged: Domiciliary Care, Grey Literature, Hospitals, NHS, Nursing, Older People, Primary Care, Quality (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2751847 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 08:36:20 +0100 2751847 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2751909&cid=t_116226_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fceo-begs-questions-about-paying.html We previously posted about financial ties between Professor David Polly at the University of Minnesota and medical device maker Medtronic. The main issues we discussed were 1) that when the good doctor spoke to a US congressional committee in support of research that might reflect favorably on one of Medtronic's products, he did not reveal that he was paid by Medtronic for "lobbying related costs (according to the Wall Street Journal); and 2) that many of the specific activities for which Dr Polly was paid by the company seemed related to marketing or lobbying, not science or education.Now the Pioneer Press (Minneapolis - St Paul, MN) and other papers have reported that the payments to Dr Polly have interested not only US Senator Charles Grassley, but at least one active Medtronic sharehol... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2751909 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:14:00 +0100 2751909 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2747906&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F08%2F30%2Fa-bitter-pill-to-swallow-drugs-for-people-not-for-profit%2F Title: A Bitter Pill to Swallow: Drugs for people not for profit The Skinny: Reported in the press as indicating that the cost of drugs will cripple the NHS and identifying the questionable ethics of big pharma in relation to the NHS this report from the think tank Compass discusses the current state of the pharmaceutical industry – particularly in relation to the UK. It draws on a large body of evidence to highlight the key issues in the pharmaceutical industry – looking specifically at rates of innovation, clinical trials, and its relationship with the medical profession. It goes on to call for an improved regulatory structure to ensure that the industry delivers the drugs we need at prices which we can afford. Publisher: Compass Size of Publication: 46p Published: 29/08/2009... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2747906 Sun, 30 Aug 2009 19:56:50 +0100 2747906 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2733997&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F08%2F25%2Fsafer-births-supporting-maternity-services-to-improve-safety-report-of-three-regional-events-held-in-york-london-and-wigan-2009%2F Title: Safer Births: Supporting maternity services to improve safety: Report of three regional events held in York, London and Wigan, 2009 The Skinny: Details the findings of three regional workshops undertaken as part of the King’s Fund’s Safer Births initiative for audience of heads of midwifery, lead obstetricians and risk managers. Publisher: The King’s Fund Size of Publication: 7p Published: 24/08/2009 Posted in Clinical Governance, Health and Safety, Midwifery, Obstetrics, Quality, Standards Tagged: Communication, Education, Grey Literature, Guidance, Health and Safety, Information Systems, Leadership, Midwifery, Obstetrics, Risk Evaluation, Staff Supplu, Teamwork, Training (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2733997 Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:32:09 +0100 2733997 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2709095&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F08%2F17%2Fassessing-complementary-practice-building-consensus-on-appropriate-research-methods-report-of-an-independent-advisory-group%2F This report aims to establish a consensus on the ways in which research might be conducted that both the conventional and complementary health care communities can support. Publisher: King’s Fund Size of Publication: 32p Published: 10/08/2009 Posted in Clinical Governance, Complementary Medicine, Grey Literature, Health Economics, Quality Tagged: Complimentary Therapies, Cost Effectiveness, Evidence Based Practice, Grey Literature, Research (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2709095 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:59:37 +0100 2709095 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2630114&cid=t_116226_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fwhat-health-care-reformers-dont-discuss.html Discussion of various health care reform proposals regularly lead in print and electronic media. Yet we have been very quiet here on Health Care Renewal about health care reform.I personally have written little, because it seems to me that hardly any of the discussion swirling around relates to the concerns we discuss on this blog. We write about the bad effects of continuing concentration and abuse of power in health care on physicians' and other health care professionals' core values. We note instances of ill-informed, incompetent, self-interested, conflicted, or even corrupt leaders of health care organizations. We discuss how problems with the governance of health care organizations allow such leadership. We comment on instances in which bad leaders use tactics such as deception, creat... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2630114 Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:11:00 +0100 2630114 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2616674&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F07%2F20%2Fsafeguarding-adults-report-on-the-consultation-on-the-review-of-no-secrets%2F Title: Safeguarding adults: report on the consultation on the review of No Secrets The Skinny: Report on the consultation on the review of No Secrets. It analyses around 12,00 responses to the consultation and the Government response will be published when this has all been carefully considered. Publisher: DH Published: 16/07/2009 Size of Document: 154p Posted in Clinical Governance, Consent, Governance, Health and Safety, Learning Disabilities, Local Authorities, Mental Health, NHS, Quality, Risk Evaluation, Social Services, Standards, Voluntary Sector, Vulnerable People Tagged: Adults, Grey Literature, Learning Disabilities, Mental Health, Vulnerable People (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2616674 Mon, 20 Jul 2009 09:50:42 +0100 2616674 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2616676&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F07%2F20%2Fhow-cold-will-it-be%2F Title: How Cold Will It Be The Skinny: Despite consensus that the NHS faces a tough financial future, there is no agreement about just how cold the financial climate will be. Three plausible future funding scenarios and their consequences are detailed in this report from the  The King’s Fund and the Institute for Fiscal Studies. It concludes with an assessment of each scenario and the options for funding up to 2017 Publisher: The King’s Fund Published: 19/07/2009 Size of Document: 28p Posted in Corporate Governance, Financial Management, Governance, Health Economics, Management, NHS, Risk Evaluation, Strategic Planning Tagged: Cuts, Economics, Financial Management, Grey Literature, Health Economics, NHS, Rationing (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2616676 Mon, 20 Jul 2009 09:30:25 +0100 2616676 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2605913&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F07%2F16%2Fextending-professional-and-occupational-regulation-the-report-of-the-working-group-on-extending-professional-regulation%2F Title: Extending professional and occupational regulation: the report of the Working Group on Extending Professional Regulation The Skinny: Final report of the Extending Professional Regulation Working Group. The Working Group arose from a recommendation in the White Paper Trust, Assurance and Safety.  The Report makes recommendations to Government as to how decision making on extending regulation could be taken forward. Additional Documents: Appendix A – Terms of reference and membership of the working group Appendix B – Participants in future direction events Appendix C – Skills for Healthproposed algorithm on most appropriate regulatory approaches Appendix D (i) – Interim report of EPR Working Group Appendix D (ii) – Models of regulation and their applica... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2605913 Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:02:38 +0100 2605913 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2605918&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F07%2F16%2Fquality-accounts-engagement-report%2F Title: Quality Accounts engagement report The Skinny: Report on a stakeholder deliberative event discussing the purpose, content, publication and validation of quality accounts. Publisher: DH Published: 15/07/2009 Size of Publication: 38p Posted in Clinical Governance, Governance, Grey Literature, NHS, Quality Tagged: Annual Reports, Clinical Governance, Corporate Governance, Deliberative Research, Governance, Grey Literature, NHS, Quality (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2605918 Thu, 16 Jul 2009 08:47:34 +0100 2605918 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2605926&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F07%2F15%2Fquality-accounts-preparing-for-publication%2F Title: Quality accounts: preparing for publication The Skinny: Dear Colleague letter providing an update on the progress towards implementation of Quality Accounts (annual reports to the public outlining the quality of the services NHS organisations deliver). Publisher: DH Published: 15/07/2009 Size of Document: 5p Posted in Corporate Governance, Governance, Grey Literature, NHS, Quality Tagged: Annual Reports, Clinical Governance, Corporate Goveernance, Darzi Report, Darzi Review, Governance, Grey Literature, NHS, Quality (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2605926 Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:58:19 +0100 2605926 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2580167&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F07%2F08%2Fstatutory-instruments-related-to-information-governance%2F SI 2009 No. 1677. Data Protection. The Data Protection (Notification and Notification Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 Posted in Legislation, Statutory Instruments Tagged: Data Protection Act, Information Governance, Legislation, Statutory Instruments (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2580167 Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:47:56 +0100 2580167 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2570339&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F07%2F03%2Fpatient-safety-sixth-report-of-session-2008%25e2%2580%259309-volume-i-report-together-with-formal-minutes%2F Title: Patient Safety: Sixth Report of Session 2008–09: Volume I: Report, together with formal minutes The Skinny: Identifies the need for improved patient safety systems in the NHS and emphasises that this should be the first consideration of NHS organisations. Recommends: Measurement and evaluation using samples of patients’ case notes at periodic intervals to calculate rates of harm. (Trusts, NPSA) NHS organisations must recognise it is key that harmed patients and their families or carers are seen to be entitled to receive information, anexplanation, an apology and an undertaking that the harm will not be repeated.  PALS should be utilised as an independent service. The NHS Redress Scheme should be implemented to reduce litigation. (DH, Tusts) Develop an an open, reporting and le... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2570339 Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:42:50 +0100 2570339 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2561176&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F07%2F01%2Frecent-health-related-statutory-instruments-4%2F SI 2009 No. 1554. Children And Young Persons, England. The Childcare (Provision of Information About Young Children) (England) Regulations 2009 SI 2009 No. 1577. National Health Service, England. The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals National Health Service Trust (Establishment) Amendment Order 2009 Posted in Children, Hospitals, Infants, Information Governance, Legislation, NHS, Statutory Instruments, Young People Tagged: Children, Establishment Orders, Information Governance, Legislation, NHS, NHS Trusts, Statutory Instruments (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2561176 Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:41:54 +0100 2561176 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2553022&cid=t_116226_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F06%2Fuks-national-programme-for-it-in-nhs.html It would seem likely.In May 2009 at "The Machinery Behind Healthcare Reform: How the HIT Lobby is Pushing Experimental and Unsafe Technology on Unconsented Patients and Clinicians" I wrote: ... I can add that if this initiative [the U.S. multibillion dollar ARRA push towards national healthcare IT by 2014] blows up as it has in the UK, then the only triumph will be the financial triumph of the trade group and its apparatchiks. The losers will be the administration, patients, clinicians, and everyone else in the healthcare system. The UK situation is much worse than I thought. The UK's NPfIT in the NHS was suspected to have been doomed from the start, but proceeded anyway; see "16 key points in Gateway Reviews on NHS IT scheme" and the secretive Gateway Reviews themselves upon which the p... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2553022 Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:22:00 +0100 2553022 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2522836&cid=t_116226_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F1lvUfpxccEg%2F A thorough new study of 30 nations from the Institut Constant de Rebecque in Switzerland reveals serious shortcomings in America’s tax system. The report, entitled “Tax burden and individual rights in the OECD: An International Comparison,” creates a Tax Oppression Index based on three key variables: the overall tax burden, public governance, and taxpayer rights. The good news is that the United States has a comparatively low aggregate tax burden, though America’s score on this measure would be much better in the absence of a punitively high corporate tax rate. The bad news is that corruption and inefficiency in Washington drag down America’s score for public governance. The ugly news is that America has a very low rating for protecting taxpayer rights — l... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2522836 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:44:36 +0100 2522836 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2510164&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F24%2F4110%2F Title: Reviews in 2009/10 – main report The Skinny: Details how the Care Quality Commission will be assessing and rating health and adult social care organisations. There will be three types of review: periodic reviews of commissioners; periodic reviews of providers; special reviews and studies, including an overarching State of health and social care annual report. These will involve assessing how organisations have performed against key measures of quality to deliver the right outcomes for people; encouraging organisations to improve their services and provide value for money; making information about the quality and safety of services available to the public and people who use services, so that they can make better informed decisions about health and adult social care. Publish... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2510164 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:49:55 +0100 2510164 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2477495&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F15%2Fwhats-it-all-for-reducing-unnecessary-bureaucracy-in-regulation%2F Title: What’s it all for? Reducing unnecessary bureaucracy in regulation The Skinny: Joint Independent Healthcare Advisory Services and NHS Confederation report looks at the overlaps and duplications and sets out recommendations for Government, the Information Centre for Health and Social Care, the Care Quality Commission and providers. Publisher: NHS Confederation Size of Document: 32p. Published: 11/06/2009 (Requires NHS Confederation Membership, Liverpool PCT Staff can sign up using your PCT email address) Posted in Clinical Governance, Corporate Governance, Governance, Grey Literature, NHS, Quality, Regulation Tagged: Bureacracy, Clinical Governance, Corporate Governance, Grey Literature, NHS, Regulations (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2477495 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:45:07 +0100 2477495 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2477499&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F15%2Fdealing-with-the-downturn-the-greatest-ever-leadership-challenge-for-the-nhs%2F Title: Dealing with the downturn: the greatest ever leadership challenge for the NHS? The Skinny:This paper explores the financial situation facing the NHS and suggests how NHS leaders should respond to the most severe contraction in finances they are ever likely to face. The NHS is facing a very severe contraction in its finance with an £8–10 billion real terms cut likely in the three years from 2011. The need for strong leadership and radical quality and efficiency improvement is therefore greater than ever. Letting waiting lists grow, diluting quality and structural change should be avoided. The NHS will not survive the impending spending squeeze unchanged. Courageous decisions are needed to reshape services and help us prepare for the most significant leadership challenge t... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2477499 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:50:40 +0100 2477499 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2477507&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F15%2Fpostgraduate-medical-journal-2009-volume-85-number-1003%2F Postgraduate medical Journal 2009 (Volume 85 Number 1003) Fade Fave: Beyond “see one, do one, teach one”: toward a different training paradigm Fade Skinny: Conducts an informal review of the impact of current training methods on patient safety and proposes a new training paradigm that integrates competency-based knowledge and clinical skills, with deliberate attitudinal and behavioural changes focused on patient safety in a safe medically simulated environment. (NHS Athens is required to access this article online) Posted in Current Awareness Tagged: Athens Password, Clinical Governance, Current Awareness, E-Journals, Medical Education, Patient Safety (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2477507 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:09:45 +0100 2477507 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2458024&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F05%2Femergency-services-review%2F The Emergency Services Review from OSHA aims to provide focus and support to local health communities to improve the effectiveness of emergency care, enhance patient safety and achieve national emergency care standards. It has 3 strands Analysis of emergency care performance Development of accessible tools to support high performance Providing direct, expert support when asked Posted in Clinical Governance, Decision Making, Emergency Planning, Health and Safety, NHS, Quality, Risk Evaluation Tagged: Emergency Care, Grey Literature, Patient Safety, Quality (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2458024 Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:10:36 +0100 2458024 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2458025&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F05%2Fthe-use-of-management-consultants-by-the-nhs-and-the-department-of-health-fifth-report-of-session-2008%25e2%2580%259309-report-together-with-formal-minutes-and-oral-evidence%2F from the House of Commons Health Committee questions the value of the use of management consultants by the NHS and Department of Health, it recommends: Government and Monitor should collect centrally lists of the management consultants employed by the Department of Health, SHAs, PCTs and acute, ambulance and mental health trusts, indicating the projects they are employed on, their duration, cost and purpose; the top ten daily rates paid by each category of organisation. A sample of contracts with management consultants agreed by all categories of NHS organisation and the Department should be subject to external peer review. This should include an assessment of the value of the consultants’ output. The external peer review might be put out to tender through the National Institute fo... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2458025 Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:59:29 +0100 2458025 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2452318&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F05%2Ffreedom-of-information-in-the-nhs%2F Title: Freedom of information in the NHS The Skinny: This Briefing comes in response to the increasing number and complexity of requests NHS Confederation members are receiving under the FOI Act. It is intended to be used as a practical guide to help NHS organisations fulfil the spirit of the legislation in the most timely and efficient way. It identifies: The incidence of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests made to NHS organisations is increasing and demand is likely to grow between now and the next general election. A clear process for dealing with FOI requests saves time, energy and money. Making more information publicly available on the web and via a publication scheme reduces the need for requests to go through the FOI process. NHS organisations need to consider whether specific F... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2452318 Fri, 05 Jun 2009 07:20:04 +0100 2452318 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2452331&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F03%2Fscoping-%25e2%2580%2598quality-accounts%25e2%2580%2599-in-mental-health%2F Title: Scoping ‘quality accounts’ in mental health The Skinny: This paper identifies that: High quality care for all: NHS Next Stage Review final report (The ‘Darzi Review’) introduces quality accounts as a mechanism for public reporting on quality (These will be reports to the public on the quality of services they provide in every service line – looking at safety, experience and outcomes). From April 2010, providers of NHS healthcare will be legally required to published quality accounts. There is a need to clarify how the national aspects will work in practice. There is a need to clarify how the Care Quality Commission and Monitor will work together on quality. Quality accounts are likely to become influential public documents and providers should play a central role in their... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2452331 Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:00:03 +0100 2452331 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2452332&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F03%2Fthe-new-registration-system-for-health-and-adult-social-care%2F Title: The new registration system for health and adult social care The Skinny: This paper identifies that: The new system of registration will introduce mandatory registration for all providers, NHS and independent sector, under a common framework of legally enforceable registration requirements The requirement to register is defined by the type of activity or care provided. Activities will require registration depending on the level of activity-associated risk. A single set of registration systems for both the NHS and the independent sector, and for health and social care should bring benefits of regulatory simplification. The broad definitions of activities requiring registration offer greater flexibility to include new types of service or new settings for provision of care within the ... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2452332 Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:00:11 +0100 2452332 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2452336&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F03%2Freducing-deaths-from-blood-clots-in-hospitals%2F Title: Reducing deaths from blood clots in hospitals The Skinny: This paper summarises the issue, sets out the policy context and clinical practice, and provides suggestions for how boards can provide leadership and challenge to reduce mortality and improve efficiency. Blood clots, or venous thromboembolism (VTE), are a major cause of deaths – an estimated 40,000 hospital patients a year will die from them, of which about 25,000 deaths may be preventable. VTE leads to increased costs for both hospitals and commissioners. There are cost-effective preventative measures that could reduce the VTE death toll but there is variability in how they are implemented. Boards could take a stronger lead in implementing safer care, including publishing quality data and nominating a lead non-executive... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2452336 Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:00:04 +0100 2452336 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2423992&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F20%2Fcommon-assessment-framework-for-adults-demonstrator-site-programme-overview-of-phase-1-sites%2F provides an overview of the 9 demonstrator sites (Stockport providing the North West interest). Posted in Governance, Grey Literature, Local Authorities, NHS, Social Services Tagged: Assessment, Grey Literature, Information Sharing, Learning Disabilities, NHS, Social Services (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2423992 Wed, 20 May 2009 16:27:27 +0100 2423992 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2423998&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F19%2Freport-into-the-case-of-roy-murray-and-the-arrangements-in-place-by-2006-in-the-st-helens-primary-care-trust-and-predecessor-bodies%2F is a report from NHS North West into the criminal actions of Roy Murray who was convicted in September 2004 of 23 counts of indecent assault against women.  In August 2002, Murray was suspended from practice as a GP both by St Helens Primary Care Trust and the General Medical Council, following allegations of indecent assault on female patients. In September 2004, he was subsequently convicted in the Crown Court on 23 counts in September 2004. He was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 6 years whereupon his name was removed from the PCT’s performers list and was expunged from the medical register. There were three contributory factors that allowes these events to happen: Individuals and organisations failed to bring the pieces of information together to form the whole picture Secon... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2423998 Tue, 19 May 2009 14:51:17 +0100 2423998 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2416772&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F19%2Fprompt-payment-code%2F is a payment initiative developed by Government with the Institute of Credit Management (ICM) to tackle the crucial issue of late payment and help small businesses. All SHAs, PCTs, NHS trusts and NHS foundation trusts should be adopting the principles incorporated within the Prompt Payment Code Posted in Financial Management, Governance, Grey Literature, NHS Tagged: Financial Management, Good Practice, Grey Literature, NHS (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2416772 Tue, 19 May 2009 09:01:20 +0100 2416772 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2414722&cid=t_116226_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F16%2Fthe-impacts-of-housing-stock-transfers-in-urban-britain%2F from the Joseph Rowntee Foundation looks at the transfer of housing stock from councils to specially established housing associations, concentrating on the ‘second generation’ of transfers carried out since 1997. It considers how successful these transfers have been, and examines: the nature of ‘transfer promises’ (commitments to channel fresh investment into housing repair and modernisation) and how far these have been met; the impact of transfer on organisational culture, governance and service delivery; and the contribution of transfer to wider regeneration and social inclusion. Posted in Governance, Grey Literature, Housing, Quality Tagged: Governance, Grey Literature, Housing, Organisational Culture, Quality, Social Inclusion, Urban Renewal (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2414722 Sat, 16 May 2009 03:37:48 +0100 2414722 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2405118&cid=t_116226_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Firs-changes-form-990-to-make-not-for.html In the US, many important health care organizations are not-for-profit organizations. Many US medical schools, and other health educational institutions, along with their parent universities are not-for-profit. (Essentially all the exceptions are supported by local or state government.) The majority of US hospitals and hospital systems, including academic medical centers, are not-for-profit. Some managed care organizations are not-for-profit. Medical and professional societies, health care advocacy groups, health care charities, and a variety of other groups are not-for-profit.Not-for-profit health care organizations here have hardly been immune from leadership and governance problems. We have discussed numerous instances of ill-informed, conflicted, and even corrupt leadership of these or... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2405118 Mon, 11 May 2009 19:15:00 +0100 2405118 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2380782&cid=t_116226_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F04%2Fblogscan-accountable-academic.html On The Torch blog, hosted by FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights in Education), this post by Kyle Smeallie summarized the travails of "petition candidates" for the boards of trustees of two elite American universities (Dartmouth and Harvard). As we have noted, at most universities, the boards of trustees, the bodies ultimately responsible for upholding the universities' missions, are closed shops. At most universities, the boards appoint new members to replace departing ones, without input from alumni, parents, students, faculty or anyone else who might be considered constituents. Thus, at most universities, even though the boards are ultimately responsible for the stewardship of the institutions, and upholding the institutions' missions, practically, they are accountable to no one. At ... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2380782 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:42:00 +0100 2380782 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2375959&cid=t_116226_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F04%2Fhospital-board-members-with-juice-in.html ConclusionsHospitals often have sterling reputations within their communities as selfless organizations devoted to improving the health of the people. As we have noted, hospitals and other health care organizations have come to be run more often by people with managerial background than those with health care experience. Not-for-profit hospitals have boards of trustees who are supposed to exercise stewardship, making sure the organization upholds its mission. But as we have noted before, e.g., here, boards of health care and related organizations may put their own agendas ahead of the mission. Furthermore, boards of big hospitals and other health care organizations seem to be increasingly composed of the well-connected, often to the point that they can be regarded as members of the power e... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2375959 Mon, 27 Apr 2009 19:51:00 +0100 2375959 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2364986&cid=t_116226_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F04%2Fpension-fund-scandals-payment-agents.html As we get closer to graduation season for most institutions of higher education, another story about the leadership and governance of higher education, involving an institution housing a prominent medical school, has come into view, albeit indirectly. Let me try to explain this complex story, which on its surface has something to do with the ongoing financial crisis, but nothing to to with academia, by quoting, as usual, from media coverage.We start with an article from the New York Times last week:The man leading the Obama administration’s efforts to restructure the auto industry has been described in Securities and Exchange Commission documents as having arranged for his investment firm to pay more than $1 million to obtain New York State pension business.Although he is not named in th... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2364986 Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:43:00 +0100 2364986