3:20pm Tuesday 9th February 2010
By Michelle Archard
SOUTHEND Hospital has been given a huge vote of confidence after a report praised its work in treating patients with serious and life-threatening conditions needing constant care.
A report from a watchdog said patients being treated in intensive care at the hospital have a better survival rate than those in other similar units.
The Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre conducts an in-depth analysis of figures submitted by critical care units around the country and provides regular reports of the performance of each centre.
For the latest period, recorded between January and June 2009, Southend had a greater number of patients surviving intensive care than would be expected, given the severity of their illnesses.
Of the 239 patients cared for during this period, 168 pulled through – 17 more than expected from the research centre’s complex calculations.
Consultant anaesthetist Dave Higgins, Southend’s director of critical care, said: “Patients who come into critical care are the sickest in the hospital.
“They usually need mechanical ventilation to help them survive because they cannot breathe on their own.
“Many also require support of other failing organs, such as the heart and kidneys.
“The research centre needs a vast amount of data to be able to calculate an accurate prediction of survival and is recognised as a world-leading audit and research organisation.
“We are naturally very pleased our survival rates have again been shown to be so good.
“We will ensure we continue to provide the best possible care for our patients in order to maintain these high standards and remain the best of all similar units in the country.”
Southend has ten intensive care beds and Dr Higgins attributes the unit’s success to a team of eight consultant anaesthetists and junior staff, who provide a round the clock service, as well as an experienced, dedicated critical care nursing team.
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