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C1a
Library Impact Case Study
Library concerned: QE Library, Gateshead
Name of case study: Vitamin D deficiency in critical care
Date of interview: 27.06.16
Interviewee
Name: Vanessa Linnett
Job Title: Consultant anaesthetist
Trust/Employing body: Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
Email: [email protected]
Tel:
Summary of problem Consultants suspected that many critically ill patients were vitamin d
or reason for enquiry deficient. NICE guidance states that patients who are symptomatic
should be treated however this is more difficult to establish in critically
ill patients than in the general hospital population. When critical care
patients were tested, it was found that a large number of patients were
vitamin d deficient.
Brief description of
A comprehensive literature search was carried out on Cochrane
the information
Library, Medline, Embase, Medline and Pubmed.
found / service
provided
The literature search showed that vitamin d deficiency is associated
with worse outcome for critically ill patients including increased length
of stay and mortality.
Summary of
outcome and impact As a result of this evidence, a new protocol was introduced into critical
care (based on NICE guidance but slightly adapted for the critical care
population). There is now routine testing and supplementation within
critical care.
Immediate Impact
(including quotes)
Which Trust
Objectives does this
support?
24_05_16
The cost of vitamin d testing and supplementation is relatively low but
the potential impact in terms of speed of recovery and reduced length
of stay could be significant. According to the evidence, treating vitamin
d deficiency in critical care should help with rehabilitation and could
potentially reduce hospital days for this population.
There will be a follow up audit in a few months to assess the impact of
this change in protocol.
Services that are clinically evidenced and that represent best practice
and parity of esteem.
Services are safe, clinically effective and provide excellent patient
experience.
Financially resilient and sustainable – could save the Trust money if
hospital days are reduced for a relatively low cost intervention.