The work of two nurses from Grimsby has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award.
Kelly Storey, lead nurse for critical care outreach at Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital worked alongside Mags Guest, Head of Learning & Development HMT, St Hugh’s Hospital, to host the Sepsis: Together We Can Succeed Conference earlier this year, which has now been shortlisted for a HSJ Partnership Award.
This collaboration to improve the diagnosis and treatment of sepsis across Lincolnshire is one of six initiatives competing in the “Patient Safety Collaboration of the Year” category.
More than 140 health professionals across the Humber region, including GPs, district nurses, hospital and mental health staff, came together at the conference to raise awareness of sepsis, to discuss its management and the importance of educating clinical teams working across hospitals and community.
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that arises when the body’s response to an infection injures its own tissues and organs. Globally, Sepsis claims some 11 million lives every year.
Kelly said: “It is an honour to be shortlisted for this award. In hosting the conference, we were aiming to reduce morbidity and mortality from sepsis by helping professionals to spots the signs of this life changing condition earlier and understand how best to manage it.
“The event was really well supported, there was such a buzz on the day and we’re still getting people asking when we’ll be holding the next.”
The work didn’t stop there, of course, and as well as the roll out of sepsis boxes across the hospital wards, the team have also set up new sepsis awareness groups to help clinical staff supporting patients with sepsis, and gain feedback from patients with sepsis on how they feel their care is being managed.
Mags said: “Every year in the UK at least 250,000 people contract sepsis and 52,000 of these will die as a result. There is no single symptom, and it can present differently, so it is vital our clinical teams are supported to be vigilant about this life-threatening condition.
“The Sepsis: Together We Can Succeed Conference was a great success and we are delighted that our partnership work has been recognised by the HSJ Partnership Awards.”
Kelly and Mags will present to a panel of judges in February before the winner is announced at the HSJ Partnership Awards ceremony in London in March.
Wishing them the very best of luck!