'Checklists' cut hospital deaths

The aim of the lists is to cut down the number of deaths that could have been avoided and to improve patient care.

Each printed list – also known as a care bundle – includes details of best-practice treatment, such as when to administer antibiotics, the types of blood samples needed or the optimum level of oxygen saturation in the blood.

Some 7 per cent of hospital admissions result in something going wrong (an adverse event), of which about 8 per cent cause death.

About half of adverse events are avoidable, research has shown.

In the latest study, the North West London Hospitals NHS Trust implemented eight care bundles known to help reduce risks for patients.

Overall, 255 fewer deaths occurred (174 of these in the targeted diagnoses) than if the 2006/07 death rates applied.