A new bed management system expected to help efficiency at a hospital will go live next week – and it’s all thanks to an apprentice.
Karen Cotici devised the system built on learning about innovation and business plans as part of her studies on the adult nursing pathway at Keele University.
Trials in A&E at Leighton Hospital, where she works, saw the new system prevent several 12-hour breaches which could have been costly for Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
“The system is based around a live Excel document which any relevant person can access and is constantly updated and used as a central point of information,” said the Registered Nurse Apprentice.
“It’s a big contrast to current the pen and paper approach, which takes much more time out of co-ordinating a hospital and often ends up with big gaps in communication.
“I’m so pleased they’re using it and would love to see it rolled out across the whole Trust eventually.”
Karen came up with the idea after seeing a similar system for GP referrals into urgent care when she carried out a work placement there.
The 42-year-old has six months left of her three-year apprenticeship – a course which has mostly been completed online due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
During 10 years of work in the NHS as a healthcare assistant, she is pleased to be furthering her training.
Karen, from Sandbach, added: “Cost was always an issue – I couldn’t leave a full-time job to go back into education – so I was really pleased when a fully-funded apprenticeship was advertised by the trust I work for.
“To help someone when they are at their most vulnerable is very rewarding but it can be frustrating as a healthcare assistant because you are limited to what you can do.
“The apprenticeship has been absolutely fantastic and I’m looking forward to new opportunities.”
Karen’s studies and insights have also led to her writing two blogs for the Queens Nursing Institute, relating to her placements in community and district nursing.
Her story is one of many being showcased by Daily Focus for National Apprenticeship Week. To read more, click here.
