THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CLINICAL TRIAGE: CLOSING THE AUDIT LOOP
(Abstract release date: 05/19/16)
EHA Library. Vanhinsbergh L. 06/09/16; 133005; E1456
Dr. Lewis Vanhinsbergh
Contributions
Contributions
Abstract
Abstract: E1456
Type: Eposter Presentation
Background
In 2014-2015 there were 85 million outpatient clinic attendances in NHS hospitals across the UK with a cost to secondary care exceeding £15 billion. 25.9 million (30 percent) of these were first appointments. In 2014 we audited a 6 month period of haematology outpatient clinic referrals and established the effectiveness of clinical triage in filtering inappropriate referrals. We established that 74% of all new patient referrals were from primary care in 2014. Of the rejected referrals 96% were from primary care.
Aims
In 2015, we implemented audit guided interventions, consisting of structured consultant led primary care teaching sessions across the North West London region. These sessions were specifically designed to educate and guide primary care physicians regarding haematological symptoms and blood parameters requiring secondary care input. The intervention was made with the aim of both capturing potential haematological malignancies at an early stage and also reducing inappropriate referrals. The proposed secondary outcome of this intervention was cost efficiency saving and improvement in regional haematology care.
Methods
Data was collected retrospectively from a local clinic referral database containing information on all new patient referrals including demographics, referral reason and triage outcome. We compared data from a four month period (June to September) in 2014 with the same four month period a year later in 2015.
Results
Our data shows a 31 percent increase in monthly referrals in 2015. The mean monthly referral number increased from 169 in 2014 to 244 in 2015. Despite this we saw a reduction in the percentage of inappropriate referrals to the service. In 2014 a monthly mean of 22 percent of referrals were rejected with feedback provided to the referring clinician. In 2015 the rejected referral rate was reduced by 6 percent to a monthly mean of just 16 percent for the same time of year period. 37% of referrals were for clotting/ thrombosis, 23% potential haematological malignancy including 2 week waits and the remaining 40% general haematology.
Conclusion
Our data support the ongoing use of consultant led clinical triage and primary care education in order to reduce the significant cost burden of new patient clinics whilst remaining safe for patient care.
Session topic: E-poster
Keyword(s): Clinical outcome, Cost effectiveness, Health care, Outcome measurement
Type: Eposter Presentation
Background
In 2014-2015 there were 85 million outpatient clinic attendances in NHS hospitals across the UK with a cost to secondary care exceeding £15 billion. 25.9 million (30 percent) of these were first appointments. In 2014 we audited a 6 month period of haematology outpatient clinic referrals and established the effectiveness of clinical triage in filtering inappropriate referrals. We established that 74% of all new patient referrals were from primary care in 2014. Of the rejected referrals 96% were from primary care.
Aims
In 2015, we implemented audit guided interventions, consisting of structured consultant led primary care teaching sessions across the North West London region. These sessions were specifically designed to educate and guide primary care physicians regarding haematological symptoms and blood parameters requiring secondary care input. The intervention was made with the aim of both capturing potential haematological malignancies at an early stage and also reducing inappropriate referrals. The proposed secondary outcome of this intervention was cost efficiency saving and improvement in regional haematology care.
Methods
Data was collected retrospectively from a local clinic referral database containing information on all new patient referrals including demographics, referral reason and triage outcome. We compared data from a four month period (June to September) in 2014 with the same four month period a year later in 2015.
Results
Our data shows a 31 percent increase in monthly referrals in 2015. The mean monthly referral number increased from 169 in 2014 to 244 in 2015. Despite this we saw a reduction in the percentage of inappropriate referrals to the service. In 2014 a monthly mean of 22 percent of referrals were rejected with feedback provided to the referring clinician. In 2015 the rejected referral rate was reduced by 6 percent to a monthly mean of just 16 percent for the same time of year period. 37% of referrals were for clotting/ thrombosis, 23% potential haematological malignancy including 2 week waits and the remaining 40% general haematology.
Conclusion
Our data support the ongoing use of consultant led clinical triage and primary care education in order to reduce the significant cost burden of new patient clinics whilst remaining safe for patient care.
Session topic: E-poster
Keyword(s): Clinical outcome, Cost effectiveness, Health care, Outcome measurement
Abstract: E1456
Type: Eposter Presentation
Background
In 2014-2015 there were 85 million outpatient clinic attendances in NHS hospitals across the UK with a cost to secondary care exceeding £15 billion. 25.9 million (30 percent) of these were first appointments. In 2014 we audited a 6 month period of haematology outpatient clinic referrals and established the effectiveness of clinical triage in filtering inappropriate referrals. We established that 74% of all new patient referrals were from primary care in 2014. Of the rejected referrals 96% were from primary care.
Aims
In 2015, we implemented audit guided interventions, consisting of structured consultant led primary care teaching sessions across the North West London region. These sessions were specifically designed to educate and guide primary care physicians regarding haematological symptoms and blood parameters requiring secondary care input. The intervention was made with the aim of both capturing potential haematological malignancies at an early stage and also reducing inappropriate referrals. The proposed secondary outcome of this intervention was cost efficiency saving and improvement in regional haematology care.
Methods
Data was collected retrospectively from a local clinic referral database containing information on all new patient referrals including demographics, referral reason and triage outcome. We compared data from a four month period (June to September) in 2014 with the same four month period a year later in 2015.
Results
Our data shows a 31 percent increase in monthly referrals in 2015. The mean monthly referral number increased from 169 in 2014 to 244 in 2015. Despite this we saw a reduction in the percentage of inappropriate referrals to the service. In 2014 a monthly mean of 22 percent of referrals were rejected with feedback provided to the referring clinician. In 2015 the rejected referral rate was reduced by 6 percent to a monthly mean of just 16 percent for the same time of year period. 37% of referrals were for clotting/ thrombosis, 23% potential haematological malignancy including 2 week waits and the remaining 40% general haematology.
Conclusion
Our data support the ongoing use of consultant led clinical triage and primary care education in order to reduce the significant cost burden of new patient clinics whilst remaining safe for patient care.
Session topic: E-poster
Keyword(s): Clinical outcome, Cost effectiveness, Health care, Outcome measurement
Type: Eposter Presentation
Background
In 2014-2015 there were 85 million outpatient clinic attendances in NHS hospitals across the UK with a cost to secondary care exceeding £15 billion. 25.9 million (30 percent) of these were first appointments. In 2014 we audited a 6 month period of haematology outpatient clinic referrals and established the effectiveness of clinical triage in filtering inappropriate referrals. We established that 74% of all new patient referrals were from primary care in 2014. Of the rejected referrals 96% were from primary care.
Aims
In 2015, we implemented audit guided interventions, consisting of structured consultant led primary care teaching sessions across the North West London region. These sessions were specifically designed to educate and guide primary care physicians regarding haematological symptoms and blood parameters requiring secondary care input. The intervention was made with the aim of both capturing potential haematological malignancies at an early stage and also reducing inappropriate referrals. The proposed secondary outcome of this intervention was cost efficiency saving and improvement in regional haematology care.
Methods
Data was collected retrospectively from a local clinic referral database containing information on all new patient referrals including demographics, referral reason and triage outcome. We compared data from a four month period (June to September) in 2014 with the same four month period a year later in 2015.
Results
Our data shows a 31 percent increase in monthly referrals in 2015. The mean monthly referral number increased from 169 in 2014 to 244 in 2015. Despite this we saw a reduction in the percentage of inappropriate referrals to the service. In 2014 a monthly mean of 22 percent of referrals were rejected with feedback provided to the referring clinician. In 2015 the rejected referral rate was reduced by 6 percent to a monthly mean of just 16 percent for the same time of year period. 37% of referrals were for clotting/ thrombosis, 23% potential haematological malignancy including 2 week waits and the remaining 40% general haematology.
Conclusion
Our data support the ongoing use of consultant led clinical triage and primary care education in order to reduce the significant cost burden of new patient clinics whilst remaining safe for patient care.
Session topic: E-poster
Keyword(s): Clinical outcome, Cost effectiveness, Health care, Outcome measurement
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