Clinical endocrinology · 2014
Preclinic investigations accelerate decision-making, reduce delays in treatment and are highly popular with endocrinology patients and staff.
СтатьяНазвание и аннотация: Перевод пока не подготовлен
Обработка статьи · этапы, ошибки и управление
Загрузка состояния…
Ошибки и ограничения
История · было → стало
Состояние обновляется каждые 5 секунд, пока блок открыт. Процент показывается только там, где известен объём работы. Пауза останавливает продолжение этапа; текущий запрос к источнику может завершиться.
Srinivas V, Gomez J, Kerry S, Swords F M
Аннотация
OBJECTIVE: Endocrine diagnosis relies on a thorough history, examination and confirmatory biochemical tests. Previously, in our unit, tests were performed after new patients attended clinic. We proposed that diagnosis and management would be improved if this system was inverted.
DESIGN: Clinicians and chemical pathologists reviewed available guidance and local practice to determine the key tests to confirm or refute most common endocrine disorders. A system was developed for clinicians to categorize new referrals into diagnostic groups: for example, nodular thyroid disease or possible polycystic ovarian syndrome. Standard letters were developed and sent to patients explaining the requirement for tests to be performed prior to first hospital appointment. The letters and requests for investigation sets were standardized for each diagnostic group and generated via a one-click automated method. After one year, clinical outcomes were audited and patients and staff surveyed.
RESULTS: The time from referral to confirming diagnosis and starting treatment was halved: mean 11·8-5·7 weeks (P < 0·001). Acute patients were also discharged from clinic earlier: mean 17 to 10·3 weeks (P < 0·005). Ninety four percent patients surveyed had their tests performed easily prior to attending their appointment. Hundred per cent of patients, 100% of hospital staff and 93% referring general practitioners who responded felt the system improved patient care and should continue.
CONCLUSIONS: Performing investigations prior to new patient appointments is practical, popular with staff and patients and has dramatically improved our referral to treatment statistics by reducing delays prior to diagnosis. This system could be used as a model for other departments.
DESIGN: Clinicians and chemical pathologists reviewed available guidance and local practice to determine the key tests to confirm or refute most common endocrine disorders. A system was developed for clinicians to categorize new referrals into diagnostic groups: for example, nodular thyroid disease or possible polycystic ovarian syndrome. Standard letters were developed and sent to patients explaining the requirement for tests to be performed prior to first hospital appointment. The letters and requests for investigation sets were standardized for each diagnostic group and generated via a one-click automated method. After one year, clinical outcomes were audited and patients and staff surveyed.
RESULTS: The time from referral to confirming diagnosis and starting treatment was halved: mean 11·8-5·7 weeks (P < 0·001). Acute patients were also discharged from clinic earlier: mean 17 to 10·3 weeks (P < 0·005). Ninety four percent patients surveyed had their tests performed easily prior to attending their appointment. Hundred per cent of patients, 100% of hospital staff and 93% referring general practitioners who responded felt the system improved patient care and should continue.
CONCLUSIONS: Performing investigations prior to new patient appointments is practical, popular with staff and patients and has dramatically improved our referral to treatment statistics by reducing delays prior to diagnosis. This system could be used as a model for other departments.