SPVS Congress 2024

Thursday 25th January, 11:30 – 12:25

Within the busy veterinary practice, the thought of making change can seem overwhelming. Learning from high-performance sport and other ultra-dynamic industries Helen will explore the concept of marginal gains in this session. The marginal gains theory is concerned with small incremental improvements in any process, which, when added together, make a significant improvement. By focusing on how we can make small improvements, every day; 1% at a time, change is not only possible but practical. In this session, Helen will consider how this concept can be applied to veterinary practice to improve efficiency, improve patient safety and enhance the wellbeing of our teams.

Learning outcomes

• To introduce the concept of marginal gains
• To understand how marginal gains have led to success across many industries
• To consider how we can practically apply this theory in veterinary practice

Friday 26th January, 14:55 - 15:15

Is the way practices work currently sustainable?

The Lean philosophy and Quality Improvement tools can be used to reduce the various types of waste in veterinary practice. Reducing waste of resources is vitally important, but so is reducing waste of time, energy, team talent or ideas. Lean is about a constant dialogue with the whole practice team.

This talk will use practical examples to illustrate Lean principles:

• Keeping stock to a minimum;
• Reducing waiting or idle time;
• Reducing movement around the practice and duplication of work;
• Improving workflow, streamlining procedures and paperwork;
• Reducing errors and realising human potential.
• Applying these principles can encourage team members to speak up with ideas for saving time, money, resources and stress from complaints.

Learning outcomes

• Understand the Lean philosophy
• See how Lean can be applied to veterinary practice
• Learn practical ways to apply Lean

Read more about Lean in 'Lean into Change', an article in the RCVS Knowledge series on patient safety, clinical human factors and the principles and associated themes of Quality Improvement.

Helen qualified as an RVN in 2000 and has worked in both first opinion and referral hospitals. Since qualifying, she has gained certificates in ECC and Small Animal Nutrition and the Advanced Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (surgical).

In 2021, Helen completed a MSc in Patient Safety and Clinical Human Factors at the University of Edinburgh and is currently undertaking a PhD at the University of Lincoln exploring the non-technical skills that veterinary nurses require when monitoring and maintaining anaesthesia. She is also collaborating with the University of Aberdeen to research Incivility in veterinary practice and working towards chartered ergonomist status.

Helen is an RCVS Knowledge Champion for her role in the sustained training and use of a surgical safety checklist within the small animal theatre at the former Animal Health Trust.

Helen is passionate about developing the veterinary profession's understanding of Human Factors as a powerful aid in improving patient safety, enhancing performance, and supporting the wellbeing of the veterinary team. She enjoys designing bespoke coaching, training and speaking on topics that advance the quality of care. She has written articles and co-authored several book chapters on both clinical and non-clinical aspects of practice.

Pam is QI Clinical lead for RCVS Knowledge and Chair of the RCVS Knowledge Quality Improvement Advisory Board. She was Lead Assessor for the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme until very recently. Pam has worked in first opinion practice for most of her career. She is also an SQP assessor for AMTRA and edits the BSAVA Guide to the Use of Veterinary Medicines and organises the BSAVA Dispensing Course.

Pam has been involved in establishing Quality Improvement resources for the veterinary practice team. She is passionate about QI becoming part of the normal working day for veterinary teams and contributing to a just learning culture in practice.