VTE Exemplar Care awarded to King Edward VII’s Hospital.

On the 1st of December 2023 we collectively presented our journey of improvement and change to Professor Roopen Arya, Director of King’s Thrombosis Centre and Nurse Consultant Emma Gee, the Associate Director VTE Exemplar Centres Network. I am delighted to report that our efforts to deliver quality, leadership and innovation have met the exemplar criteria and we have been awarded the accolade of VTE Exemplar Status, the gold standard in VTE care. King Edward VII’s Hospital is the 36^th VTE Exemplar Centre of care in the UK.

King Edward VII’s Hospital has a reputation of world class medical treatment combined with truly personalised patient care. As leading experts within our four medical specialities of urology, women’s health, musculoskeletal services and digestive health, achieving excellent patient outcomes and sustaining patient safety is our upmost priority. Venous Thromboembolism (VTE), encompassing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), poses a significant risk to all hospitalised patients, but with the appropriate care, treatment, and management these risks can be lowered. All clinicians involved within the patient’s care journey play a pivotal role in preventing, identifying and managing VTE.

Here at King Edward VII’s Hospital we began the journey to achieve exemplar VTE care 12 months ago. First, we established a VTE Committee, we then worked collaboratively to deliver multiple quality improvement projects within every aspect of VTE preventative care from admission to discharge.

The VTE Committee was chaired by Mr Alex Liddle, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, and the members included Colin Howard – Registered Medical Officer, Sibo Sibanda – Critical care Matron, Ersire Remollo as the VTE Lead Nurse which was later taken over by Abbey Paguio – Critical care Outreach and Resuscitation Lead Nurse, Sarah Mant – Clinical Nurse Specialist, Carol Horner – Quality & Improvement Lead, Bina Patel – Lead Pharmacist, and the ward sisters Tania Jones,  Mariel Bulahan, Jennifer Sibal and Petronella Phiri. Their contribution to the project was invaluable.

We are now a leader in VTE Prevention care and Management. Being a partner within the VTE Exemplar community will afford King Edward VII’s Hospital access to a network of support from other centres, enabling us to share resources and collaborate on clinical research into VTE prevention to sustain best practice and quality care.

A huge thank you to all the clinicians at King Edward VII’s Hospital who have contributed and continue to deliver a level of care that reduces the risk of VTE and VTE-related complications, thereby enhancing patient safety and the quality of care.

Why is VTE Exemplar Status Important to KEVII?

Achieving VTE Exemplar status is important because it promotes patient safety, boosts staff morale and engagement, and encourages continuous improvement in VTE prevention efforts, ultimately benefiting patients and our reputation and position in the private healthcare sector.

Patient Safety: Exemplar status signifies that the hospital is committed to providing the highest level of care in preventing VTE. This directly benefits patients by reducing the risk of potentially life-threatening blood clots.

Quality of Care: Achieving exemplar status reflects the hospital’s dedication to maintaining and exceeding established standards in VTE prevention. This demonstrates a commitment to delivering quality healthcare services.

Benchmark for Improvement: Exemplar status sets a benchmark to aspire to, encouraging a culture of continuous improvement in VTE prevention protocols and patient safety.

Recognition and Reputation: Hospitals with VTE exemplar status have a favourable reputation in the healthcare community. It can attract patients and healthcare professionals who prioritise high-quality care.

Compliance with Guidelines: Exemplar status typically requires adherences to established guidelines and best practices, which help ensure that the hospital’s VTE prevention protocols are evidence-based and up to date.

Staff Morale and Engagement: Recognition for exemplary VTE prevention efforts can boost staff morale and engagement, as healthcare professionals take pride in contributing to an organisation known for patient safety.

Research Opportunities: Exemplar hospitals may have opportunities to participate in VTE-related research and clinical trials, contributing to advancements in healthcare.

This is a momentous achievement for the VTE committee and the hospital as a whole.