Audit

Hospitals have variable stock levels of antidotes

Hospital stock control of antidotes to treat poisoned patients have improved but there is still “significant” differences between NHS trusts.…

Use of sedatives and analgesics in infants vary widely across Europe

A study of neonatal intensive care units in Europe revealed a lack of consistency in the use of sedatives and analgesics, which are potentialy neurotoxic in newborns.…

Hospitals outperforming primary care on antibiotic stewardship, says Public Health England

When it comes to implementing toolkits for antimicrobial stewardship, hospitals are doing better than primary care, according to research by Public Health England.…

Under treatment of venous thromboembolism persists in cardiac unit

Researchers introduced a new protocol in a cardiology unit to help ensure patients at risk were put on anticoagulants, but there were still high rates of under treatment.…

One in five prescription interventions relate to drug shortages

Around 20% of prescription interventions made by community pharmacists relate to medicines shortages, suggest the findings of an audit published on 8 July 2015.…

Consultants respond positively to audit of antimicrobial prescribing

An audit and feedback programme targeting medical consultant teams on a hospital acute admissions ward has resulted in improvements in antimicrobial prescribing.…

Audit highlights problem of patients taking NSAIDs without gastroprotection

Many patients taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are not co-prescribed gastroprotective agents, an audit of community pharmacies in England has found.…

Medicines regulator reviews chloramphenicol packaging after picking errors

Regulators are working with community pharmacy organisations to review the packaging of chloramphenicol eye and ear drops.…

Doctors call for improvement of inflammatory bowel disease services

Doctors are calling for a national strategy for inflammatory bowel disease so that it receives the same attention as other chronic conditions such as diabetes.…

How to conduct a clinical audit

Clinical audit is undergoing a process of reinvigoration and its profile has never been higher. What do you need to know to carry one out so that it achieves its aim of improving patient care?…