Signal Single urine samples are just as good as 24-hour collections for diagnosing pre-eclampsia

The urine spot albumin-creatinine ratio (which is done on a single, on-the-spot sample) reliably identified 99% of pregnant women with high blood pressure who went on to develop severe pre-eclampsia. The spot protein-creatinine ratio, as currently recommended by NICE, was slightly less sensitive identifying over 90% of women. Both spot tests were good value for money.


Nearly 1,000 women, suspected of having pre-eclampsia, took part in this NIHR-funded study, in 36 UK obstetric units. They had high blood pressure and protein detected in their urine (by dipstick) beyond 20 weeks of pregnancy. The study compared the diagnostic accuracy of newer ways of ‘spot’ testing a single sample of urine for predicting severe pre-eclampsia with traditional tests on a urine sample taken over 24-hours.


From the NIHR Dissemination Centre

Collecting outcomes to promote value-based healthcare

This case study describes how the University Hospital of Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust (UHCW) has started to collect, measure and use health outcomes for patients receiving prostate cancer care. The project is part of a wider programme of work currently underway in the trust to promote value-based healthcare.

UHCW Research: Rachel Mayman and Catherine Mitchell

The shift to value-based healthcare

NHS England has published NHS Rightcare and the shift to value-based health. 

This Board Paper summarises NHS RightCare's approach to delivering value-based population healthcare in England, by: explaining the principles behind NHS RightCare's aim of increasing value, reducing unwarranted variation and delivering better population healthcare; detailing how NHS RightCare is addressing the challenges related to better value; and updating on the accelerated roll out across the NHS in England