Hospital Life October 2010 - Barking Havering and Redbridge ...

Impressivesurvival ratesat Queen’sSeriously injured patientsbrought to Queen’s Hospitalwith head injuries have abetter chance of survivalthan elsewhere in thecountry.The hospital houses a specialistneurosurgical centre, and takespatients from across London,Essex, Hertfordshire and Kent.The Helicopter Emergency MedicalServices in London, Essex,Hertfordshire, Kent, Surrey andSussex regularly land at the hospital’shelipad bringing patients who havesuffered serious head, spinal andfacial trauma.And a recent report shows that thespecialist care at Queen’s leads to anadditional 2.6 survivors for every 100patients compared to otherneurosurgical centres.Consultant Neurosurgeon KarolyDavid says that the secret to thesuccess of the unit is teamwork.“The good results are down to thededication and expertise of the staffhere, as well as the speed oftreatment.“The Emergency Medicine teamhave made a real difference to thespeed of investigations andadmission of patients.”As soon as Emergency Medicine staffare made aware that a patient witha head injury ison their way,neurosurgeons areinformed and are on standby.Emergency CT scans are carried outas soon as possible. The nationaltarget is 60 minutes, but Queen’s isachieving an average time of 35minutes.Since moving from OldchurchHospital, the Trust has also opened adedicated Neuro Critical Care Unit,and Mr David is sure that this toohas had a positive effect on patientoutcomes.“Having a 12-bed neuro critical carefacility with specialist staff isfantastic. We also have fivededicated ConsultantNeurointensivists so patients aregetting the very best care.”As well as the Neuro HighDependency and Intensive Care Unit,there are also a further eightspecialist beds available for patientswith head injuries as well as anAcute Neurosurgical RehabilitationUnit.“All of the staff - including juniordoctors, nurses, physiotherapistsand occupational therapists - play avital part in a patient’s care,” said MrDavid.The staff are used to dealing withpotentially harrowing situations –and often treat young patients.Recently the team had to operate ona woman who suffered terrible headinjuries after being attacked by herpartner. Another patient had fallenoff a ladder and needed emergencysurgery.But often patients will simply needto be admitted for observation, astheir condition could rapidlydeteriorate. Neurosurgeons are onsite 24-hours-a-day to deal withemergency situations.“Every member of the team shouldbe proud of what they achieve andhave played a vital part in thesuccess of the department,” saidMr David.• Pictured is Mr David, and nurses inthe Neuro Intensive Care UnitNews in brief . . . . . . . . . continuedOur hospitals have to charge peopleto park - it forms part of ourplanning approval.However, we can offer people freeparking under some circumstances.Parking costs will be reimbursed for:• Inpatients for their first seven daysof treatment. From seven daysonwards they will be charged £5 aday.• Patients in the oncology andhaematology department receivingregular radiotherapy, chemotherapy,supportive care and bloodtransfusions.• Next of kin called in an emergencywhere death is expected.• Next of kin of patients in ITU orHDU.• Next of kin of children receivingcare for the first five days.• Birthing partners during labour.• Relatives of patients receiving endof life care.O C T O B E R 2 0 1 03