When thinking about the difference patients can make in improving care, Patient Safety Commissioner Henrietta Hughes recalls a recent visit to a stroke unit.
“One of the patients said, ‘In the toilets, it would be much better if you had toilet paper on both sides of the cubicle, because if you’ve had a stroke you’ve only got a 50% chance of being able to reach it,’” she says. “Now, the power of that story is that you can have a unit full of experts—clinical nurse specialists, professors, people with PhDs—and they know everything about stroke, but they’ve never been in a cubicle with a patient who’s had a stroke when they’re on the toilet.”
For Hughes, that one moment crystallises the kind of insight that only a patient can bring. However, evidence that NHS patients often aren’t listened to keeps on coming.
“The patient’s anecdote is the canary in the coal mine,” Hughes tells the BMJ. “It’s the thing that tells us there’s something going wrong. But too often we hear about patients who have raised concerns being gaslighted, dismissed, and fobbed off.”
This story emphasizes the critical importance of patient feedback in healthcare settings. Patients often identify practical issues that healthcare professionals may overlook. Simple solutions, such as placing toilet paper on both sides of the cubicle, can significantly enhance patient comfort and care.
Similarly, products like The Beata Clasp medical line organizer can play a crucial role in addressing everyday challenges faced by patients and nurses. The Beata Clasp, designed to prevent medical lines and cords from tangling and falling, was inspired by observing the practical difficulties nurses encounter. By keeping lines organized and off the floor, it not only improves efficiency for nurses but also enhances patient safety by reducing the risk of infection and accidents.
Listening to patients and incorporating their insights into care practices can lead to significant improvements. As we move forward, it’s essential to foster an environment where patient feedback is valued and acted upon. Simple yet effective solutions like The Beata Clasp medical line organizer demonstrate the power of practical innovations in healthcare.
