Reducing the risk of Hyponatraemia
We must ensure that there is a standardised approach across directorates by all staff caring for
children and young people in acute care settings supported by appropriate information systems to
facilitate oncoming analysis and evaluation.
A Trust policy on Age Appropriate Care is finalised which will:
• Provide guidance on a safe environment for children and young people (up to the age of
18 years) admitted to an acute care setting in the Trust
• Ensure that there is a standardised approach for the admission of children and young people
requiring obstetric care to Trust Maternity and Gynae Units
• Provide staff with key information essential to ensure a positive and safe experience for young
people and their family.
Activity monitoring processes:
• Daily report - Ward entries ie. Admissions and Transfers in to adult wards age under 16 years
• Children in Adult Wards Tracker Tool
• Weekly report - 14 and 15 year old admission/DC by Ward
• From 1 August 2018 all patients aged between their 14th and their 16th birthday are admitted
to a Paediatric Ward in the Ulster Hospital
• If deemed more clinically appropriate, admission to an identified cohort Ward in the Ulster
Hospital will be arranged with support provided by the Acute Paediatric Team as required
• No patients aged between their 14th and their 16th birthday are admitted to Lagan Valley
Hospital or Downe Hospital as inpatients
• The Trust has an established group for Management of Children in Acute Settings Working
Group
• All staff caring for young people up to the age of 16 years must complete the BMJ module on
Hyponatraemia and the relevant case studies.
Number of Young People Admitted to an Acute Paediatric Ward April 2019 - March 2020
Goal 3: Measuring the Improvement
76