scholarly journals Outcomes from the Introduction of a Combined Urology Outpatient Clinic

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Clíodhna Browne ◽  
Catherine M. Dowling ◽  
Patrick O’Malley ◽  
Nadeem Nusrat ◽  
Kilian Walsh ◽  
...  

Background. A combined urology clinic staffed by four consultants and four non‐consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) was introduced in our institution in October 2015. This clinic is supported by a pre‐clinic radiology meeting and a synchronous urology clinical nurse specialist (CNS) clinic with protected uroflow/trial of void slots. Herein, we report on the outcomes of this clinic in comparison with the standard format of urology outpatient review. Methods. We carried out a retrospective review of clinic attendances from May to July 2016. We recorded the number of new and return attendances, which team members had reviewed the patient and patient outcomes. We also calculated the waiting times for new patients to be reviewed in the outpatient clinic. Results. The combined urology clinic reviewed an average of 12 new and 46 return patients per clinic. The standard urology clinic reviewed an average of 8 new and 23 return patients per clinic. 54% of patients were seen by a consultant in the combined urology clinic, and 20% of patients were seen by a consultant in the standard urology clinic. The rate of patient discharge for new patients was 14.8% in the combined clinic compared to 5.9% in the standard clinic. Overall patient outcomes are outlined in the table. The waiting time for review of new patients in the combined clinic was reduced by 39% from 144 days to 89 days over a one-year period. Conclusions. The introduction of a combined urology outpatient clinic with the support of pre‐clinic radiology meeting and synchronous urology CNS clinic facilitates patient discharge.

Author(s):  
Jahyung Kim ◽  
Sanghyeon Lee ◽  
Jeong Seok Lee ◽  
Sung Hun Won ◽  
Dong Il Chun ◽  
...  

(1) Background: Ingrown toenail is a common disorder of the toe that induces severe toe pain and limits daily activities. The Winograd method, the most widely used operative modality for ingrown toenails, has been modified over years to include wedge resection of the nail fold and complete ablation of the germinal matrix. We evaluated the outcomes of original Winograd procedure without wedge resection with electrocautery-aided matrixectomy. (2) Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of patients who underwent surgery for ingrown toenails at a university hospital for two years from November 2015 to October 2017. Surgery was performed in 76 feet with a mean operation time of 9.34 min. (3) Results: The minimal interval from surgery to return to regular activities was 13.26 (range 7 to 22) days. Recurrence and postoperative wound infections were found in 3 (3.95%) and 2 (2.63%) patients, respectively. Evaluation of patient satisfaction at one-year follow-up showed that 40 (52.63%) patients were very satisfied, 33 (43.42%) were satisfied, 3 (3.95%) were dissatisfied, and none of them were very dissatisfied. The average follow-up duration was 14.66 (range 12 to 25) months. (4) Conclusions: Therefore, it is believed that this less-invasive and simple procedure could be easily performed by clinicians, with satisfactory patient outcomes.


2014 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 3-11
Author(s):  
Zuzana Pešková

In 2006, the town council of Slany decided to respond to the new trend of regional policy in the Central Bohemia region and focused on the revitalization of the historic core of the town. The large-scale project was assigned to a team of professionals (teachers and graduates of the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the Czech Technical University in Prague), led by Professor Sykora. Team members are to deal with issues of historical centre. The project presented a challenge to test theory, principles and procedures in practical design. The projected area featured Masaryk Square and 22 adjacent streets defined by the existing town walls. The reconstruction project of Vinarickeho Street was the first part of the overall project of revitalization of the historic core of the town chosen to implement. This reconstruction was one of the most technically, organizationally and financially complex works that have been undertaken in Slany recently. Construction started in November 2010 and lasted one year. Although this is a project of smaller scope, thanks to its complexity, sensitive approach and craftsmanship it brought the creators the price Construction of the Year 2012 in the Central Bohemia region and advanced to the second round in the competition Construction of the Year 2012 in Czech Republic.


2015 ◽  
Vol 86 (11) ◽  
pp. e4.126-e4
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Ashton ◽  
Benjamin Smeeton ◽  
Stuart Weatherby

BackgroundSince its introduction in 2000, concerns have been raised about the two week wait (2 WW) referral system for suspected malignancy. Studies have demonstrated poor compliance to guidelines, low detection rates and questioned the time effectiveness of the referral process.MethodAll patients referred under the 2 WW system for suspected CNS malignancy to Derriford Hospital, Plymouth Hospitals NHS trust, over a one-year period were retrospectively audited. Data was gained from clinic letters and radiological imaging. The aims were to determine the number of referrals, their appropriateness and subsequent time taken to outpatient appointment, imaging and final diagnosis.Results103 referrals were made between September 2013 and September 2014 with just 48.5% fulfilling NICE referral guidelines for suspected CNS malignancy. Just three tumours were diagnosed with guidelines identifying all of these. Only 28% of 2 WW referrals received diagnostic imaging and an outpatient appointment within two weeks.ConclusionsUnnecessary referrals are placing strain on the 2 WW system. We suggest that a potential solution is for general practitioners to refer patients for imaging at the same time as they make their neurological 2 WW referral in order to cut down waiting times.


BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S211-S211
Author(s):  
Irangani Mudiyanselage ◽  
Madhvi Belgamwar

AimsIn many countries (including the UK and Australia) it is still common practice for hospital doctors to write letters to patients’ general practitioners (GPs) following outpatient consultations, and for patients to receive copies of these letters. However, experience suggests that hospital doctors who have changed their practice to include writing letters directly to patients have more patient centred consultations and experience smoother handovers with other members of their multidisciplinary teams. (Rayner et al, BMJ 2020)The aim of the study was to obtain patient's views to improve the quality of clinical letters sent to them, hence the level of communication and standards of care.MethodAn anonymous questionnaire was designed and posted to collect information from patients attending one of the South County Mental Health outpatient clinic in Derbyshire. 50 random patients were selected between March to November 2020. Patients were asked to provide suggestions to improve the quality of their clinic letters written directly to them and copies sent to their GPs.ResultOut of 50 patients 48% (n = 24) responded. Majority of patients (92%) expressed their wish to receive their clinic letters written directly to them and 79% preferred to be addressed as a second person in the letters. More than half (54%, N = 13) of them would like to have letter by post. Majority of them (92%, N = 22) wished to have their letter within a week of their consultations.Patients attending clinics felt that the communication could be better improved through writing clearly: a) reflection of what was discussed during the consultation b) updated diagnosis c) a clear follow-up plan d) current level of support e) medication change f) emergency contact numbers g) actions to be carried out by their GP and further referrals should there be any.ConclusionPatients in community prefer to have their clinic letters directly addressing them in second person. It was noted that the letters needed to reflect accurately on what was discussed during the consultation in order to have patient centered consultations. This in turn would improve communication and thus rapport, trust and overall therapeutic relationship.


2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. e000067
Author(s):  
Julia Street ◽  
Wajeeha Khan ◽  
Aureola Tong ◽  
Vasudev Shanbhag

Circulation ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 138 (Suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynda Knight ◽  
Todd Sweberg ◽  
Pual Mullan ◽  
Anita Sen ◽  
Matthew Braga ◽  
...  

Background: American Heart Association (AHA) recommends high quality CPR to promote optimal patient outcomes. Few reports compare team members’ perceptions of CPR quality with quantitative CPR data during actual pediatric CPR. Hypothesis: Self-reported team perception of CPR performance will not meet quantitative CPR metrics using AHA BLS guideline criteria. Methods: Prospective data from an international pediatric (pediRES-Q) resuscitation collaborative from February 2016 to August 2017. A modified Team Emergency Assessment Measure framework for qualitative content analysis was used to assess data from “hot” debriefings (held soon after arrest) by language processing experts blinded to CPR data. Events without reported perception of CPR and quantitative CPR data were excluded. Comments regarding CPR perception were grouped as either Plus perceptions of performance (PPP) or Delta perceptions of performance (DPP). Grouped events were matched and compared to quantitative CPR data of chest compression (CC) fraction (CCF), rate, and depth as collected by CPR-recording defibrillators. Compliance with AHA BLS guidelines were defined as events with mean: CCF >60%, CC rate 100-120/min; and CC depth for infants <1yo, ~4 cm (3.6-4.4 cm.); children 1-18 yo, 5-≤6 cm. Results: Of 227 arrests, 108 (48%) hot debriefings were reported. Reported CPR perceptions with paired quantitative CPR data were available for 53/108 (49%) events; 32/53 (60%) PPP and 21/53 (39%) DPP. Event CPR metric summaries (median [IQR]) for PPP - CCF 0.87 [0.77, 0.93]; CC rate 116/min [108.5, 120]; CC depth age <1yo 2.35 [2.01, 3.0] cm; >1yr 4.2 [3.3, 5.05] cm. DPP - CCF 0.79 [0.69, 0.92]; CC rate 118/min [109,129]; CC depth < 1 yo 2.03 [1.95, 2.2] cm; >1yo 3.93 [3.3, 5.06] cm. PPP events, 28/32 (87%) met guideline criteria for CCF, 25/32 (78%) for CC rate; 6/32 (19%) for CC depth; and 4/32 (12%) met criteria for all 3 categories. For DPP events, 17/21 (80%) met guideline criteria for CCF; 15/21 (71%) for CC rate; and 3/21 (15%) for CC depth, and 2/21 (9%) met criteria for all 3 categories. Conclusions: Self-reported team perception of CPR quality does not match quantitative CPR metrics using AHA guideline criteria whether CPR was positively perceived or not, depth being main reason for non-compliance.


Author(s):  
Michael H. Wall

The purpose of this chapter is to emphasize and describe the team nature of critical care medicine in the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit. The chapter will review the importance of various team members and discuss various staffing models (open vs closed, high intensity vs low intensity, etc.) on patient outcomes and cost. The chapter will also examine the roles of nurse practitioners and physician assistants (NP/PAs) in critical care, and will briefly review the growing role of the tele-ICU. Most studies support the concept that a multi-disciplinary ICU team, led by an intensivist, improves patient outcomes and decreases overall cost of care. The role of the tele-ICU and 24 hour in-house intensivist staffing in improving outcomes is controversial, and more research is needed in this area. Finally, a brief discussion of billing for critical care will be discussed.


Oncology ◽  
2017 ◽  
pp. 709-727
Author(s):  
Michael H. Wall

The purpose of this chapter is to emphasize and describe the team nature of critical care medicine in the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit. The chapter will review the importance of various team members and discuss various staffing models (open vs closed, high intensity vs low intensity, etc.) on patient outcomes and cost. The chapter will also examine the roles of nurse practitioners and physician assistants (NP/PAs) in critical care, and will briefly review the growing role of the tele-ICU. Most studies support the concept that a multi-disciplinary ICU team, led by an intensivist, improves patient outcomes and decreases overall cost of care. The role of the tele-ICU and 24 hour in-house intensivist staffing in improving outcomes is controversial, and more research is needed in this area. Finally, a brief discussion of billing for critical care will be discussed.


2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-42
Author(s):  
Lisa M. Soltis

Health care reform continues to focus on improving patient outcomes while reducing costs. Clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) should facilitate this process to ensure that best practice standards are used and patient safety is enhanced. One example of ensuring best practices and patient safety is early extubation after open heart surgery, which is a critical component of fast track protocols that reduces may reduce the development of pulmonary complications in the postoperative period while decreasing overall length of stay in the hospital. This project was an interdisciplinary endeavor, led by the CNS and nurse manager, which combined early extubation protocols with enhanced rounding initiatives to help decrease overall length of ventilation time as well as reduce pulmonary complications in patients in the cardiac surgery intensive care unit. The project resulted in a significant decrease in length of stay and a decrease in pulmonary complications in the postoperative period.


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