Royal Surrey Surgery Project Shortlisted for Top Award

Published on: 8 Mar, 2017
Updated on: 10 Mar, 2017

Dr Sam Huddart and Dr Nial Quiney

A major surgery project led by clinicians from Royal Surrey County Hospital and found to increase patient survival has been named a finalist for a prestigious health award.

The emergency laparotomy pathway quality improvement care (ELPQuiC) bundle has been shortlisted for the Health Service Journal Value in Healthcare Awards 2017.

Laparotomy – or abdominal surgery – sees surgeons cut through the abdominal cavity in what are quite often high risk and complex procedures to treat life threatening conditions.

The project conceived and led by consultant anaesthetists Nial Quiney and Sam Huddart ensures improved compliance to nationally published guidelines and it sees all patients receive prompt investigation, treatment and surgery.

The program has been introduced at four hospitals and has been found to decrease the risk of hospital adjusted mortality by 42%.

“Emergency major general surgery is inherently high risk due to a range of factors, including multi-organ failure and sepsis,” said Dr Huddart.

“Here at Royal Surrey we always strive to identify new ways of how best to deliver care to optimize outcomes for our patients.”

The project has been shortlisted in the “improving the value of surgical services” category alongside 10 other Trusts.

Dr Huddart and Dr Quiney will now have to deliver a presentation and face an interview in front of a judging panel made up of senior and influential figures within healthcare before the winners are announced at Grosvenor House, London, in May.