Improving diagnosis for patient safety: Raising awareness on World Patient Safety Day

World Patient Safety Day was established by the World Health Assembly in 2019 to raise global awareness about patient safety and to encourage countries and international partners to take united action to reduce patient harm.

As a leading global healthcare delivery partner, Acacium Group champions excellence in clinical governance, with more than 140 clinicians in our management team. Deploying more than 30,000 health professionals, our teams understand how accurate and timely diagnosis is to ensuring patient safety.

“As a nurse who’s worked on the frontline, I’ve seen first hand how a quick and accurate diagnosis saves lives. Effective diagnostic services – both in acute and community settings – play a key role in ensuring patient safety and protecting the sustainability of the healthcare system.”

Karen Matthews-Shard, Global Clinical Director, Acacium Group

Benefits of timely and accurate diagnoses

• Improved patient outcomes: The faster a correct diagnosis is made, the sooner appropriate treatment can begin. This can significantly improve patient outcomes, especially in critical conditions where time is of the essence.
• Cost-effectiveness: Accurate diagnoses help avoid unnecessary tests, treatments and hospitalisations, which can reduce costs for healthcare providers. Misdiagnoses or delayed diagnoses can lead to more complex and expensive treatments later on.
• Prevention of complications: Early and accurate diagnosis can prevent the progression of diseases and the development of complications. For example, identifying and treating heart conditions early to prevent the development of severe cardiac issues.
• Patient trust and satisfaction: When patients receive a timely and accurate diagnosis, it builds trust in the healthcare system and improves their overall satisfaction with the care they receive.
• Resource optimisation: Efficient diagnostic processes ensure that healthcare resources are used effectively, reducing the burden on healthcare systems and allowing for better allocation of resources to those in need.

Diagnostic innovations

Xyla, part of Acacium Group, partners with the NHS, local authorities, and specialist providers to deliver exceptional healthcare. Their services extend beyond hospital support to include community programmes, local diagnostic appointments, and virtual healthcare solutions.

Offering fully managed services, Xyla streamlines diagnostics for greater efficiency. From patient bookings and scheduling to supplying the diagnostic workforce, their British Society of Echocardiography (BSE) and Care Quality Commission (CQC) accredited services safely accelerate patients through the system. Some examples include;

• Teledermatology: Leveraging telecommunication technologies, Xyla’s teledermatology services improve access to expert dermatological care, enabling early diagnosis and swift treatment, thus reducing risks associated with delays. Read Frimley Integrated Care Board’s teledermatology success story.
• Remote analysis: With seamless integration into existing systems, robust clinical governance and bespoke workflows, Xyla offers services like 12-lead ECG and ambulatory ECG analysis. This helps healthcare providers manage backlogs and maintain high standards of patient care, tailored to both primary and secondary care needs.
• In the community: Xyla’s community diagnostic services provide local access to essential tests, including echocardiography, general/MSK ultrasound and ambulatory ECG and BP monitoring. These services reduce hospital visits, streamline patient care and ensure timely and accurate diagnoses.

Working together to improve patient safety

Patient safety is a cornerstone of high-quality healthcare. Healthcare providers and delivery partners are responsible for creating a safe environment, implementing best practices, and continuously monitoring and improving safety protocols. By supporting clinicians with the right tools, training and resources we can help ensure that patient care is both effective and safe. Visit Xyla to learn more about our diagnostic services.