Coronavirus: King's Lynn hospital to review every Covid-19 death
Lynn's Queen Elizabeth Hospital is conducting a review into the deaths of every patient who tested positive for Covid-19.
According to papers released ahead of a board meeting today, the review aims to see whether any of the deaths may have been potentially avoidable, as well as to identify any learning or good practices to be shared from the patients' care.
In the report, titled 'Covid-19 update', chief operating officer Denise Smith said, as of June 30, the QEH had treated 450 patients who had tested positive for coronavirus.
Of that figure, 291 had recovered sufficiently to be discharged but 152 patients had died at the hospital.
Ms Smith said that 138 Covid-19 deaths had been "thoroughly reviewed" so far by an independent senior clinician.
The clinician has been collecting a number of key data items including age, sex, severity of symptoms and signs at presentation to the hospital, underlying co-morbidities, whether the patient was admitted to critical care, and the predicted outcome for other patients presenting in this fashion.
They then score whether any of the deaths may have been potentially avoidable or if there are learning opportunities from the patient's care.
Ms Smith said that, thus far, the reviews had "not indicated any shortcomings in our care".
The report also adds that the hospital is reviewing its visiting arrangements, with some changes set to be introduced this month.
This will mean that one close family member, or someone important to the patient, will be able to book an appointment to visit.
Visitors will have to wear masks or face coverings at all times and will be advised on other arrangements in place, such as social distancing, wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and handwashing.
And where a face-to-face visit is not practical, the hospital will continue to facilitate 'virtual visiting'.
Ms Smith added that the support from the local community "continues to go from strength to strength".
She said their Covid-19 charitable funds JustGiving page has now raised more than £59,000 – some of the money from which has already been used to further improve patient experiences and to support QEH staff.
"We are incredibly grateful for this fantastic support, which continues to inspire us all, when we needed it most," Ms Smith added.
And she said, additional safety measures have been implemented as routine elective (planned) care and treatment resumes at the hospital.
Patients coming in will need to bring and wear a face covering, and there are now hand sanitising stations at each entrance – for patients to decontaminate their hands on arrival and when leaving the site, as well as floor stickers to help ensure social distancing.
