Innovations data: a platform to showcase and share success

Previously known as Case Studies, the database is an online platform to share peer-reviewed examples of CSP members’ successes and creativity in practice. Here you will find a digital collection of quality assured and evidence-based examples that demonstrate the value of our profession.

At time of writing, the database includes 97 initiatives exploring different areas of physiotherapy practice around the UK. 

Why ‘Innovations in Physiotherapy’?

Evidence-based examples demonstrate our expertise and ability to innovate, adapt and deliver for patients across all areas of physiotherapy. The Innovations in Physiotherapy Database enables us to share these successes and learning points between members, teams and regions.

This information can be used by others to inspire and inform their own business cases or service transformation, as well as identifying opportunities for networking and collaboration. The database also provides the CSP with valuable examples to strengthen policy work and promote our profession. 

Visit the Innovations database to read about projects such as:

• Transnational collaborative digital learning 
• Physiotherapy assistants in the musculoskeletal outpatients setting
• Introduction of a day surgery pathway for unicompartmental knee replacement
• COPD early discharge service

We are looking for examples from all areas of practice that demonstrate innovative and adaptive ways of working to meet the needs of physiotherapy practice, management, education or policy. Examples must clearly explain the approach taken and the key findings of the project. Not every project will include an economic analysis but examples should acknowledge any funding, set up or running costs of the project and state whether cost or efficiency savings were made.

Examples should describe the implications of the project within the area of practice and the author’s top three learning points. This information will help others to reflect on the relevance to their area and how they can use this learning to inform their own projects. Types of project on the Innovations database include evaluations of new services or approaches, clinical audits and systematic reviews of innovative approaches.  

Quality and submissions 

All innovation submissions are reviewed against quality assurance criteria. This is essential, if they are to be a valuable resource to the wider profession.

There are two submission routes:

1. Abstracts submitted under the methodologies of service evaluation, clinical audit and systematic review that have been peer-reviewed and accepted for presentation at the CSP’s Physiotherapy UK Conference and Trade Exhibition will be included on the Innovations database. Where possible, we encourage you to submit by this route in order to gain the benefits of presenting at a national conference.
   
   The call for abstract presentation submissions for Physiotherapy UK 2019 opens on 14 February.  Please visit the Physiotherapy UK website for further information regarding the conference themes and the abstract submission process. 
2. At times when the Physiotherapy UK abstract submission window is closed, please contact the project team at innovations@csp.org.uk for advice on submitting your work directly to the database. Peer review rounds take place quarterly. 

While submitting an innovation initiative is not a quick task, we’re here to help you showcase your work and what you have achieved in the best possible light. Check out the Innovations in Physiotherapy Database page on the CSP website where you’ll find guidance notes and examples.

More information

• Innovations in Physiotherapy
• Physiotherapy UK

Example: Intensive Hyper-Acute Neurological Rehabilitation

Providing intensive hyper-acute neurological rehabilitation led to clinically significant changes for patients and had a positive impact on the hospital-related outcomes at Barts Health NHS Trust. This service was led by Kelly Saunders (acting therapy consultant) and consisted of a virtual interdisciplinary team providing intensive rehabilitation to neurological patients across hyper-acute neurosciences wards with community outreach as appropriate to support transition from hospital to home.

The specialist rehabilitation was individualised to each patient depending on their presenting condition. Most patients receiving care had a Rehabilitation Complexity Scale (RCS) score of 10 or more indicating a high level of complexity. 

During a three-month service pilot, the team’s patients showed clinically significant improvements in outcome measures. Average length of both stay and delay were reduced, indicating a significant improvement in patient flow. There was a 10 per cent increase in discharges and a 37 per cent reduction in referrals to specialist consortium beds.

The project cost approximately £1.2 million per annum, with £35,000 non-recurrent start-up costs. It was funded by the trust’s winter pressures fund. The projected combined savings for the CCG and trust were estimated at £3 million. These savings were attributed to internal flow, improved patient outcomes and prevention of secondary complications, reduced transfer and transfer dependency level to specialist beds and improved staff retention and satisfaction.

Miss Saunders said, ‘It was a joy to see how changing our way of working not only led to improved patient care and service delivery, it also hugely improved patient and staff satisfaction.’