Emma Vardy
@emmavardy2.bsky.social
Physician. Honorary Professor of Geriatric Medicine. Delirium. Dementia. Quality improvement. Book lover. Northerner. Mum to daughter with PKU.
Reposted by Emma Vardy
I wonder what the impact on bed moves are in younger patients too- the loss of continuity on each ward move probably slows things down even without inducing delirium
January 17, 2026 at 3:32 PM
I wonder what the impact on bed moves are in younger patients too- the loss of continuity on each ward move probably slows things down even without inducing delirium
Reposted by Emma Vardy
Not difficult to devise a simple 'average metric' for trusts,p based on:
A) admissions/yr;
B) % ≥65
C) % of those with dementia
D) mean LoS in population B
E) mean LoS in population C
F) A * B
G) A * B * C
Free extra days = (F*5)+ (G*1.7)
[I think!]
A) admissions/yr;
B) % ≥65
C) % of those with dementia
D) mean LoS in population B
E) mean LoS in population C
F) A * B
G) A * B * C
Free extra days = (F*5)+ (G*1.7)
[I think!]
January 17, 2026 at 3:13 PM
Not difficult to devise a simple 'average metric' for trusts,p based on:
A) admissions/yr;
B) % ≥65
C) % of those with dementia
D) mean LoS in population B
E) mean LoS in population C
F) A * B
G) A * B * C
Free extra days = (F*5)+ (G*1.7)
[I think!]
A) admissions/yr;
B) % ≥65
C) % of those with dementia
D) mean LoS in population B
E) mean LoS in population C
F) A * B
G) A * B * C
Free extra days = (F*5)+ (G*1.7)
[I think!]
Reposted by Emma Vardy
SUCH a brilliant book.
January 17, 2026 at 1:13 PM
SUCH a brilliant book.
Reposted by Emma Vardy
Never forget the McNamara fallacy!!
The danger of making the measurable important, rather than the important measurable!
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McNamar...
The danger of making the measurable important, rather than the important measurable!
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McNamar...
McNamara fallacy - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
January 17, 2026 at 11:11 AM
Never forget the McNamara fallacy!!
The danger of making the measurable important, rather than the important measurable!
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McNamar...
The danger of making the measurable important, rather than the important measurable!
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McNamar...
Reposted by Emma Vardy
Now this is what I'd like to see more of: a choice of courier at an online checkout. Two are offering free postage.
January 17, 2026 at 10:49 AM
Now this is what I'd like to see more of: a choice of courier at an online checkout. Two are offering free postage.
Reposted by Emma Vardy
British education in a nutshell
January 17, 2026 at 10:33 AM
British education in a nutshell
Reposted by Emma Vardy
Saturday stripes.
📷
📷
January 17, 2026 at 10:53 AM
Saturday stripes.
📷
📷
Reposted by Emma Vardy
Bed days lost (aka 'free extra bed days'!) are a key metric for (bed) managers in a resource-strapped system.
This changes an emotional argument into a hard numbers (ie £) one which is relatively easy to conceptualise, discuss and operationalise, even if only at a very simple level.
This changes an emotional argument into a hard numbers (ie £) one which is relatively easy to conceptualise, discuss and operationalise, even if only at a very simple level.
January 17, 2026 at 10:35 AM
Bed days lost (aka 'free extra bed days'!) are a key metric for (bed) managers in a resource-strapped system.
This changes an emotional argument into a hard numbers (ie £) one which is relatively easy to conceptualise, discuss and operationalise, even if only at a very simple level.
This changes an emotional argument into a hard numbers (ie £) one which is relatively easy to conceptualise, discuss and operationalise, even if only at a very simple level.
Reposted by Emma Vardy
At least now we can quantify this well-recognised (by geriatricians, anyway!) effect and say to a board:
"Would you like n hundred extra bed days per year in this hospital, for free?"
"Would you like n hundred extra bed days per year in this hospital, for free?"
January 17, 2026 at 10:17 AM
At least now we can quantify this well-recognised (by geriatricians, anyway!) effect and say to a board:
"Would you like n hundred extra bed days per year in this hospital, for free?"
"Would you like n hundred extra bed days per year in this hospital, for free?"
Reposted by Emma Vardy
An English Bluebell seedling
The seeds are released from their pods, drop down in late summer, & germinate on the woodland floor
The roots contract to draw the maturing bulb further underground
This time of year many like this one need help, so we tuck them up in the soil
The seeds are released from their pods, drop down in late summer, & germinate on the woodland floor
The roots contract to draw the maturing bulb further underground
This time of year many like this one need help, so we tuck them up in the soil
January 17, 2026 at 10:14 AM
An English Bluebell seedling
The seeds are released from their pods, drop down in late summer, & germinate on the woodland floor
The roots contract to draw the maturing bulb further underground
This time of year many like this one need help, so we tuck them up in the soil
The seeds are released from their pods, drop down in late summer, & germinate on the woodland floor
The roots contract to draw the maturing bulb further underground
This time of year many like this one need help, so we tuck them up in the soil
Reposted by Emma Vardy
Brilliant work, Emma!
I remember presenting to the board (as dementia lead) ~15 yrs ago re the qualitative deleterious impact (delirium) of bed moves in pts with dementia & asking for notes to have a 'dementia tag'.
Head:brick wall!
Maybe these quantitative data will motivate bed managers?!
I remember presenting to the board (as dementia lead) ~15 yrs ago re the qualitative deleterious impact (delirium) of bed moves in pts with dementia & asking for notes to have a 'dementia tag'.
Head:brick wall!
Maybe these quantitative data will motivate bed managers?!
January 17, 2026 at 9:59 AM
Brilliant work, Emma!
I remember presenting to the board (as dementia lead) ~15 yrs ago re the qualitative deleterious impact (delirium) of bed moves in pts with dementia & asking for notes to have a 'dementia tag'.
Head:brick wall!
Maybe these quantitative data will motivate bed managers?!
I remember presenting to the board (as dementia lead) ~15 yrs ago re the qualitative deleterious impact (delirium) of bed moves in pts with dementia & asking for notes to have a 'dementia tag'.
Head:brick wall!
Maybe these quantitative data will motivate bed managers?!
Reposted by Emma Vardy
Key point:
In hospitalized older adults, each ward change increased length of stay by 5 days and a further 1.7 days for those with dementia.
How many ward changes per 100 patients in your average hospital?
For bed days lost, times that by:
• 5 for pts ≥65
• 6.7 in those w/ dementia (10%)
In hospitalized older adults, each ward change increased length of stay by 5 days and a further 1.7 days for those with dementia.
How many ward changes per 100 patients in your average hospital?
For bed days lost, times that by:
• 5 for pts ≥65
• 6.7 in those w/ dementia (10%)
![Screenshot of page 1 of cited paper:
'Do ward changes affect outcomes differently in people living with dementia?
E Elliott et al.
Abstract
Background: Ward changes during hospital admissions are associated with poorer outcomes, but their impact on people living with dementia is unknown.
Objective: To examine whether individuals with dementia are more adversely affected by ward changes.
Setting: Four hospitals within a UK NHS Trust. Subjects: Individuals aged ≥65 years.
Methods: This service evaluation included data from 01/2023–02/2024. Generalised estimating equations were used to fit linear and logistic regression models. Associations between ward changes, dementia status and their interaction on three outcomes—length of stay (LOS), inpatient mortality and discharged to a care home—were examined. Fully adjusted models
accounted for demographic, socioeconomic factors and hospital site.
Results: 27,140 admissions, 19,392 unique individuals (2760 with dementia) were included. Mean age at first admission 79.0 (SD 8.1). In the fully adjusted LOS model, both ward changes (β = 5.2, P < .001) and the interaction with dementia (β = 1.7, P < .001) were associated with longer LOS.
[truncated because of word count limit]
Conclusions: Our results suggest that ward changes disproportionately affect LOS, but not mortality or discharge destination, in people living with dementia. Minimising ward transfers may improve outcomes for all older adults but is particularly important in dementia care to reduce the risk of extended LOS and potential associated inpatient harm.
Key Points
• In hospitalized older adults, each ward change increased length of stay by 5 days and a further 1.7 days for those with dementia.
• There was no interaction between ward changes and dementia on mortality and new care home admission.
• Minimising ward changes should be prioritised in older adults and particularly in people living with dementia](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:q24olizdo2jyy2adtk3kkjg5/bafkreibphunhbjez3ja7tfcpyrsb7uobzmxkt2c3fqyolmgxy22b6rgwgu@jpeg)
January 17, 2026 at 9:51 AM
Key point:
In hospitalized older adults, each ward change increased length of stay by 5 days and a further 1.7 days for those with dementia.
How many ward changes per 100 patients in your average hospital?
For bed days lost, times that by:
• 5 for pts ≥65
• 6.7 in those w/ dementia (10%)
In hospitalized older adults, each ward change increased length of stay by 5 days and a further 1.7 days for those with dementia.
How many ward changes per 100 patients in your average hospital?
For bed days lost, times that by:
• 5 for pts ≥65
• 6.7 in those w/ dementia (10%)
Reposted by Emma Vardy
I very much enjoyed this book I received at Christmas. What beautiful and remarkable animals hares are.
January 17, 2026 at 9:44 AM
I very much enjoyed this book I received at Christmas. What beautiful and remarkable animals hares are.
Reposted by Emma Vardy
Installing a new display at the Weston Library takes time and precision.
Dancing with Jane Austen is now open, featuring rare loans from Jane Austen’s House, including a manuscript music book copied in Jane Austen’s own hand.
A glimpse behind the scenes, before the final case came together.
Dancing with Jane Austen is now open, featuring rare loans from Jane Austen’s House, including a manuscript music book copied in Jane Austen’s own hand.
A glimpse behind the scenes, before the final case came together.
January 17, 2026 at 9:24 AM
Installing a new display at the Weston Library takes time and precision.
Dancing with Jane Austen is now open, featuring rare loans from Jane Austen’s House, including a manuscript music book copied in Jane Austen’s own hand.
A glimpse behind the scenes, before the final case came together.
Dancing with Jane Austen is now open, featuring rare loans from Jane Austen’s House, including a manuscript music book copied in Jane Austen’s own hand.
A glimpse behind the scenes, before the final case came together.
Reposted by Emma Vardy
www.ft.com/content/c928...
"the impact of having senior decision makers at all points through the hospital means that actually hospitals went into this Christmas with a lower level of bed occupancy than we’ve seen for years”
This phenomenon has been a topic of conversation since the first strikes
"the impact of having senior decision makers at all points through the hospital means that actually hospitals went into this Christmas with a lower level of bed occupancy than we’ve seen for years”
This phenomenon has been a topic of conversation since the first strikes
Home - Financial Times
News, analysis and opinion from the Financial Times on the latest in markets, economics and politics
FT.com
January 17, 2026 at 9:27 AM
www.ft.com/content/c928...
"the impact of having senior decision makers at all points through the hospital means that actually hospitals went into this Christmas with a lower level of bed occupancy than we’ve seen for years”
This phenomenon has been a topic of conversation since the first strikes
"the impact of having senior decision makers at all points through the hospital means that actually hospitals went into this Christmas with a lower level of bed occupancy than we’ve seen for years”
This phenomenon has been a topic of conversation since the first strikes
Reposted by Emma Vardy
Okay, tonight's inventory selections.
Today's featured works are three neckwear pieces, one bolo and two necklaces [all shown below].
Tonight, we have a coordinating bracelet for each, shown next to their respective matching featured works.
Today's featured works are three neckwear pieces, one bolo and two necklaces [all shown below].
Tonight, we have a coordinating bracelet for each, shown next to their respective matching featured works.
January 17, 2026 at 5:47 AM
Okay, tonight's inventory selections.
Today's featured works are three neckwear pieces, one bolo and two necklaces [all shown below].
Tonight, we have a coordinating bracelet for each, shown next to their respective matching featured works.
Today's featured works are three neckwear pieces, one bolo and two necklaces [all shown below].
Tonight, we have a coordinating bracelet for each, shown next to their respective matching featured works.
Reposted by Emma Vardy
This little guy turned up on the camera today 💕.
January 15, 2026 at 9:17 PM
This little guy turned up on the camera today 💕.
Reposted by Emma Vardy
We experienced a truly incredible moment at the aquarium when this octopus decided to be a total jerk to its tankmate.
January 16, 2026 at 11:30 PM
We experienced a truly incredible moment at the aquarium when this octopus decided to be a total jerk to its tankmate.
Reposted by Emma Vardy
I'm shocked, shocked I tell you
#SpecialIssues have fueled the growth of some of the largest #OpenAccess publishers. Does a journal that allows a #GuestEditor to both plan a special issue and write many articles in it have a conflict of interest? #scicomm #peerreview @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
Some guest editors pack special issues with their own articles
Thousands have penned more than one-third of a journal issue, raising conflict-of-interest concerns
www.science.org
January 17, 2026 at 6:55 AM
I'm shocked, shocked I tell you
Reposted by Emma Vardy
Clare Youngs, contemporary graphic designer and artist who works with collage, paper and fabric #WomensArt
January 17, 2026 at 5:58 AM
Clare Youngs, contemporary graphic designer and artist who works with collage, paper and fabric #WomensArt
Reposted by Emma Vardy
Struggling #NHS nurses receive below inflation pay levels.
Think tank states the obvious :”Happier, more satisfied employees” may be less inclined to quit the NHS, he argues, which would help ease the NHS’s recruitment and retention crisis.”
Well, yes.
www.ft.com/content/0d3f...
Think tank states the obvious :”Happier, more satisfied employees” may be less inclined to quit the NHS, he argues, which would help ease the NHS’s recruitment and retention crisis.”
Well, yes.
www.ft.com/content/0d3f...
January 15, 2026 at 7:26 AM
Struggling #NHS nurses receive below inflation pay levels.
Think tank states the obvious :”Happier, more satisfied employees” may be less inclined to quit the NHS, he argues, which would help ease the NHS’s recruitment and retention crisis.”
Well, yes.
www.ft.com/content/0d3f...
Think tank states the obvious :”Happier, more satisfied employees” may be less inclined to quit the NHS, he argues, which would help ease the NHS’s recruitment and retention crisis.”
Well, yes.
www.ft.com/content/0d3f...
Reposted by Emma Vardy
New meta-analysis finds *no link* between paracetamol (acetaminophen) use in pregnancy and the risk of autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, or intellectual disability
Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology. & Women's Health
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology. & Women's Health
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Prenatal paracetamol exposure and child neurodevelopment: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Current evidence does not indicate a clinically important increase in the likelihood
of autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, or intellectual disability in children of pregnant
individuals who use paracetam...
www.thelancet.com
January 17, 2026 at 5:38 AM
New meta-analysis finds *no link* between paracetamol (acetaminophen) use in pregnancy and the risk of autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, or intellectual disability
Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology. & Women's Health
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology. & Women's Health
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Reposted by Emma Vardy
Daily bunny no.3200 is sleeping in today
January 15, 2026 at 4:51 AM
Daily bunny no.3200 is sleeping in today
Reposted by Emma Vardy
Submitted a paper and at the end of the process the system asked for my ‘Twitter [sic] handle’
I gave it as “I do not use Twitter/X as it is no longer conducive to scientific discussion. I use BlueSky”
I only hope they’ll read it
I gave it as “I do not use Twitter/X as it is no longer conducive to scientific discussion. I use BlueSky”
I only hope they’ll read it
January 17, 2026 at 8:02 AM
Submitted a paper and at the end of the process the system asked for my ‘Twitter [sic] handle’
I gave it as “I do not use Twitter/X as it is no longer conducive to scientific discussion. I use BlueSky”
I only hope they’ll read it
I gave it as “I do not use Twitter/X as it is no longer conducive to scientific discussion. I use BlueSky”
I only hope they’ll read it
The band 'Hole' much underrated. IMO underappreciated talent due to events that overshadowed...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=v0CY...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=v0CY...
Hole - Malibu
YouTube video by HoleVEVO
m.youtube.com
January 16, 2026 at 10:28 PM
The band 'Hole' much underrated. IMO underappreciated talent due to events that overshadowed...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=v0CY...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=v0CY...