Sulis Hospital proudly celebrates its recognition as a leading provider of high-quality data for joint replacement operations nationwide

Sulis Hospital Bath is celebrating after being named a National Joint Registry (NJR) Quality Data Provider, having successfully completed a national programme of local data audits. The NJR monitors the performance of hip, knee, ankle, elbow, and shoulder joint replacement operations to improve clinical outcomes for patients and support clinicians. This recognition comes after the successful completion of a national program of local data audits.

The NJR’s primary aim is to benefit patients, while also reporting feedback to orthopaedic clinicians and industry manufacturers. The registry's data offers compelling evidence regarding patient outcomes, care quality standards, and the overall cost-effectiveness of joint replacement procedures. The introduction of "NJR Quality Data Provider" certificates aims to guide hospitals in meeting stringent patient safety standards and to acknowledge those that have achieved these benchmarks.

To earn this esteemed award, hospitals must fulfil six ambitious targets during the 2022/23 audit period. The NJR's mandatory national audit assesses the quality and completeness of hospital data, ensuring that it aligns with the registry's standards.

The NJR Data Quality Audit compares the number of joint replacement procedures recorded in the hospital's Patient Administration System with the number submitted to the registry. This process guarantees that the NJR collects and reports the most accurate and comprehensive data on all hospitals performing joint replacement surgeries, including Sulis Hospital Bath.

In addition to accurate data reporting, the NJR targets hospitals to have a high level of patient consent for including their details in the registry and to demonstrate prompt responses to any alerts issued by the NJR regarding potential patient safety concerns.

The registry's data now serves as a valuable resource for regulatory bodies like the Care Quality Commission, assisting them in making informed judgements about healthcare services and driving improved quality of care for patients.

National Joint Registry Medical Director, Mr Tim Wilton, said:

“Congratulations to colleagues at Sulis Hospital Bath. The Quality Data Provider Award demonstrates the high standards being met towards ensuring compliance with the NJR and is often a reflection of strong departmental efforts to achieve such status.

As well as being a fundamental driver to inform improved quality of care for patients, registry data provide an important source of evidence for regulators, such as the Care Quality Commission, to inform their judgements about services.”

Full details about the NJR’s Quality Data Provider certificate scheme can be found online at: https://www.njrcentre.org.uk.

Sulis Hospital stands as a remarkable achievement in the healthcare realm. It holds the distinction of being among the first independent hospitals to be acquired by an NHS Trust, signifying a significant step forward in the industry. Notably, it was designed by the renowned architects Foster & Partners. The hospital's patient-centred approach to healthcare and architectural design has earned it numerous well-deserved awards.