Dr Foster Unit reports and methodology papers
Monitoring Hospital Mortality
The critical report on Mid Staffordshire’s failings in its delivery of emergency care came about partly as a result of the mortality alerts sent out from the unit. These in turn have evolved from the Real-Time Monitoring tool, developed in collaboration with Dr Foster Intelligence. During the same period this investigation was going on, a group from the University of Birmingham published both a report commissioned by the West Midlands SHA and a paper in the BMJ, both highly critical of HSMRs. The unit pulled together a robust response in the form of a stand-alone report and a published letter in the BMJ. There was a considerable amount of analysis carried out to support these responses with good evidence.
Monitoring Hospital Mortality: the response to the University of Birmingham
Patient Safety Indicators
Patient safety indicators (PSIs) have been adapted for use in England from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's PSIs in the US. They are also incorporated into the Dr Foster Intelligence RTM tool.
Patient Safety Indicators Literature Review
A literature review examined PSI research to date, including the uses of PSIs.
Use of information in care pathways
This report presents findings of a pilot study exploring factors hindering the effective use of information along general practice care pathways.
