NURSES at the Vale of Leven Hospital are celebrating after winning a prestigious national award.

The Vale team scooped the prize at the Wounds UK Excellence Awards in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, this week for their innovative approach to recording patient care.

Heather Hodgson, lead nurse for tissue viability, piloted the 'ABCD project', which cut the time nurses spent recording duplicate information on patient care notes. 

The work, carried out on ward 14 at the hospital, was aimed at reducing the incidence of avoidable pressure ulcers due to poor documentation. 

As a result of the new approach, instead of registered nurses spending up to 45 minutes per shift on paperwork, recording notes was cut to 10 minutes per shift – a reduction of 78 per cent –allowing more time for direct patient care.  

The incidence of pressure ulcers was also reduced to 0.39 per 1,000 occupied bed days, below the target of 0.4. 

The 'ABCD' approach is now being rolled out across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and neighbouring health boards are also interested in adopting the model. 

Heather said: “We changed the mindset of what needs to be recorded, challenging ‘ritualistic’ documentation. This approach can be applied to any speciality by any nurse.

“I am absolutely delighted. The award is for the whole team, from nurses to healthcare support workers.”

The protocol, developed by Heather and her colleague Sean Chambers is as follows: 

  • Abnormal results and observations: Only abnormal results are recorded.
  • Bedside charts: Main focus is ensuring bedside carts are up to date and reflect care given on that shift.
  • Essential Communication: Only essential communications for clinical team is recorded.
  • Deviation From Care Plan: Only deviation from care plan is recorded.

Margaret O’Rourke, clinical services manager and lead nurse said: “I am very proud of Sean and his team and the collaborative working with Heather from Tissue Viability on this initiative which will have a positive impact for patients and nurses boardwide.” 

Angela Wallace, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde executive director of nursing professor, said: “This is such a brilliant achievement and I am delighted to see the nurses and the team at the Vale of Leven leading the way. 

"Reducing avoidable pressure injuries is an area for nurses that we will always continue to focus on relentlessly and we will continue to progress this work across our health and social care system.”