Summary
From 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2019, NHS Resolution were notified of 631 clinical negligence claims relating to surgical burns to patients. Out of these 631 claims, 459 were settled, 58 were unmeritorious and 114 are still open. This has led to NHS Resolution paying £13.9m in damages and legal costs on behalf of NHS organisations.
Content
Many surgical burns incidents can be prevented by:
- Using robust risk management processes.
- Adopting safer practices in relation to the observation and monitoring of patients.
- Greater maintenance and correct use of equipment.
- Safe storage and vigilance when using flammable chemicals, such as skin cleansing agents.
What can you do?
- Promote reporting of incidents, near misses and ensure that learning from incidents is shared with other departments, teams and organisations.
- Familiarise yourself with local and national policies for safe working practices in operating departments including Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) standards.
- Undertake regular safety audits of electrical equipment and use of flammable substances.
- Ensure your department has an active member of the Association of Peri-operative Practitioners and access their peri-operative practice guide https://afpp.org.uk/books-journal/afpppublication.
NHS Resolution: Did you know? Preventing surgical burn (2019)
https://usercontent.one/wp/www.surgicalburns.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/NHS-Resolution-Preventing-Surgical-Burns.pdf?media=1702997679
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