Queen’s Award for innovative nurse
A Cleland nurse has secured a Queen’s Award for Innovation for a unique invention aimed at saving lives of NHS patients.
Medical device company Marsden teamed up with Gillian Taylor to develop the unique Patient Transfer Scale, which is used to provide accurate weight measurements when a patient is admitted to hospital.
Launched in 2018, the Marsden Patient Transfer Scale is now used in 65 per cent of all NHS Trusts across the UK and also sold worldwide.
Gillian told the Wishaw Press: “As a nurse I realised when it came to treating conditions like strokes and sepsis, every second really does count and there was clear need to weigh patients quickly to enable treatment to begin as promptly as possible.
“When patients are admitted to hospital, getting accurate weight measurements is vital because it determines the amount of medication needed.
“I first began thinking about this when I saw my young son and one of his friends playing together.
“Under the guidelines of the time, the medication prescribed to children was based upon formulas, determined by their age.
“It struck me that there was such a significant difference in the height and weight of the two children that it could potentially lead to incorrect dosages being administered and so I began thinking about ways in which patients could be weighed quickly and more effectively.
“I looked at my kitchen scales and had something of a lightbulb moment.
“During my research, I began to realise the invention could have other practical uses within a hospital and after developing a prototype we approached Marsden, to see whether they could help transform the idea into a product capable of saving lives.
“The support I’ve received from Marsden has been incredible and I feel incredibly proud that as a result of all our collaborative efforts, the scales I imagined are now being used to help patients across the world.
“I’ve been amazed by the positive reaction and I feel incredibly honoured that our work has been recognised by the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation.”
Back in 2018, Gillian was frustrated by the undignified way she had to weigh patients when they came into hospital and struck on an idea which would make it quicker and less intrusive for sick patients.
Now, instead of having to move people to weigh them, they can be weighed accurately as they are moved from a trolley to a bed with the Patient Transfer Scale.
After developing a prototype of the invention, Marsden was approached for help in realising the potential offered by the unique product which enables accurate weight readings to be taken within a matter a seconds, helping to reduce delays in life-saving medication being administered.
Today, the Patient Transfer Scale can weigh patients up to 250kg (39 stone) and provides accurate readings up to 500g and following its launch, the invention is today being sold around the world.
Mark Holdaway, Marsden’s chief *executive officer, said: “We felt the Patient Transfer Scale could act as a catalyst towards driving positive change within a healthcare environment.
“The need f or healthcare professionals to obtain accurate weights is not only vital when it comes to delivering appropriate care, but helps to eliminate the guessing of patient weights in cases where traditional hoists cannot be used.
“The invention is a genuine first for the healthcare industry and a product which will clearly help to save lives, abide with NICE guidelines and ensure better patient outcomes are achieved.
“The success the product has enjoyed is a testament to the hard work, determination and passion which has driven the development of the product, one which was borne from the idea of an experienced nurse, who understood the challenges and limitations of existing solutions and was determined to do something about it.”
Now in its 55th year, the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious business awards in the country.