Organisation Wide Learning Newsletter - Issue 1

In this issue, we are thrilled to highlight our commitment to patient safety through the adoption of the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF) into our business practices.

At EMED, we prioritise the safety and well-being of our patients above all else. By implementing PSIRF, we are enhancing our ability to identify, report, address and improve from patient safety incidents systematically and proactively. This framework not only allows us to learn from incidents but also enables us to implement preventive measures to ensure the highest standards of care for our patients.

In addition to our focus on patient safety, this newsletter will feature news updates, valuable learnings, and insights that showcase our dedication to excellence in patient transport service delivery. We look forward to sharing our progress, achievements and ongoing commitment to providing safe and reliable transport for all patients in our care.

The PSIRF programme is designed to enhance patient care and quality standards within the organisation – driving improvements by learning from patient safety events.

“We are committed to ensuring the highest standards of patient safety and care at EMED,” said Carrie Cardwell, EMED’s Director of Clinical Governance. “The launch of the PSIRF initiative is a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to prioritise patient safety and continuously improve our services.

The PSIRF system will enable our dedicated team to report and analyse patient safety incidents in a structured and systematic manner, allowing us to identify areas for improvement and implement proactive measures to prevent future occurrences.”

By implementing PSIRF, EMED Group reaffirms its dedication to providing safe and reliable patient transport services. Transparency, accountability and continuous improvement are essential components of delivering high-quality care, and the introduction of this framework underscores its ongoing efforts to prioritise patient safety above all else.

Carrie Cardwell said, “EMED looks forward to leveraging the insights gained from the PSIRF to enhance its patient safety protocols further and continue providing exceptional care to patients across all of our contracts nationwide.”

EMED is dedicated to fostering a culture of safety and excellence, and the PSIRF initiative is a testament to this commitment. By empowering staff members to report incidents and participate in the improvement process, EMED is taking proactive measures to enhance patient safety and quality of care.

The importance of learning from incidents involving patients cannot be overstated. Of course, EMED was already using reporting through systems like RADAR, Fleetcheck, Cleric and Bamboo, but PSIRF offers EMED a significant advancement in this crucial area. As an organisation and in this primary phase of implementation, EMED will focus on three key areas – slips, trips and falls, manual handling and the impact of long waits on patients.

The crew attempted to move her onto the stretcher using a PAT slide, but because she has a condition called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, the patient’s bones are especially fragile. Unfortunately, the move to the stretcher caused the patient’s shoulder to dislocate during the manual handling procedure. This incident emphasised the necessity for improved care plans and detailed risk assessments for patients with medical conditions requiring extra care during transportation.

EMED’s new, more detailed care plan aims to prevent similar incidents and will be implemented by local operations teams to ensure patient safety during travel and manual handling. This has enabled the local teams and crew to obtain a more comprehensive medical history of the patient, allowing for a more thorough dynamic risk assessment upon arrival at the patient pick-up location.

The new regular assessments of driving skills help ensure that all EMED drivers are equipped to navigate modern roads and challenging traffic conditions effectively. By implementing periodic driving competency tests, EMED can identify and address any weaknesses or bad habits in drivers’ capabilities, potentially reducing preventable accidents caused by human error. Furthermore, the regular assessments could encourage drivers to stay updated on traffic laws and regulations, ultimately promoting a culture of ongoing skill development and a commitment to safe driving practices.

Overall, the integration of driving competency tests within the driver licensing system has the potential to foster a culture of accountability and responsibility among drivers, benefiting not only individual drivers but also the overall safety of all road users. This constructive approach aims to create a safer and more secure road environment for everyone.

As part of our commitment to keeping colleagues and other road users as safe as possible when driving, EMED has partnered with TTC Commercial Services – specialists in driver compliance, risk management and training, through their Continuum Driver Platform.

The partnership with TTC will bring a number of benefits:

To colleagues – improving driver safety and the safety of other road users through road risk awareness and a programme of personalised training.

To the business – by building a genuine safety-first culture, EMED will be able to demonstrate and evidence its improved road safety credentials through live management information and visual dashboards, reducing safety incidents, fleet repair costs and insurance claims.

To the environment – as a business, EMED is committed to leaving a positive legacy in its communities and environment, and reducing our overall carbon emissions is part of that mission. Having more awareness and safer driving techniques, reducing speed and braking all help to reduce carbon footprint. This will be achieved in conjunction with EMED’s Telematics system.

By creating easy-read materials, EMED empowers patients with diverse needs, including those with cognitive or learning disabilities, to navigate the booking process and understand the intricacies of patient transport. These materials use simple language, visual aids, and clear formatting to make complex information more accessible and digestible for all individuals.

Through its dedication to developing easy-read materials, EMED is improving patient safety by ensuring that patients clearly understand the services available to them and promoting inclusivity and empowerment within the healthcare system. The Group’s commitment to enhancing patient communication and accessibility reflects its values of patient-centred care – and, in this case, championing patient safety and accessibility through innovative communication strategies.

These flashcards are a valuable tool to facilitate clear and effective communication between patients and healthcare providers during transport.

By providing visual cues and simple language, the flashcards help patients convey important information about their specific needs. Through the thoughtful development of these flashcards, EMED Group is not only prioritising patient safety but also empowering patients to actively participate in their own care. This initiative streamlines communication processes and fosters a sense of trust and understanding between patients and the ambulance crews who have patients in their care.

The new accessibility widget is powered by a dedicated accessibility server. The software allows our website to improve its compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1).

By focusing on website accessibility, EMED is taking proactive steps to ensure that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can access important information about our services. This commitment to inclusivity not only enhances the overall user experience but also demonstrates our dedication to serving all members of the communities we work in.

David Bradford Joins EMED Patient Care as Managing Director
EMED Group extends a very warm welcome to David Bradford, who has joined the Group as Managing Director of the Patient Care division. Read more

EMED Group Publishes Quality Account for 2023-2024
We are delighted to announce the release of EMED Group’s Quality Account for 2023-2024.  Read more

EMED launches patient transport services in Leicestershire
EMED Group’s New Patient Transport Service successfully launched in Leicestershire to Improve Access to Healthcare for Local Community in July. Read more

EMED crews respond to serious incident at Swindon’s Great Western Hospital
In an outstanding display of professionalism and dedication, EMED’s BGSW team sprang into action when a power outage struck the Great Western Hospital in July. Read more

EMED Renal Patient Transport Launch in South Yorkshire
EMED Group has successfully launched a Renal Patient Transport Service in South Yorkshire. Read more