The Anticoagulation Nurse Specialist team at Kettering General Hospital (KGH) have won a Cavell Star Award for going above and beyond for their patients. Lead Nurse for the team Tess Page explains why they are worthy winners,
“The Anticoagulation service is responsible for the warfarin management of 2,220 patients, those patients diagnosed with VTE and prescribed DOAC medications, those patients referred to the Deep Vein Thrombosis service to rule out DVT and VTE prevention.
“When the pandemic struck hospitals across the country had a dilemma. It was vital that we continued to provide blood tests for our patients who receive warfarin – but at the same time these were patients who needed to shield because they were so clinically vulnerable. We decided on a drive-through service and were one of the first hospitals in the country to do this. We wanted to be out in an open car park area but still have a place where we could keep our paperwork, wash our hands, store equipment and PPE, and be protected from the weather. And that’s where the fast food trailer came in. It enabled people to drive into the Diabetes Centre car park at the hospital and have thumb prick blood sample taken in their car.
“Patients have been very grateful for the service and our staff have worked very hard, in all weathers, to provide it.”
Read more about the Anticoagulation Nurse Specialist Team at KGH