Abstract
Aim
Intimate examinations are potentially uncomfortable and embarrassing. In addition to offering chaperones routinely, it is also important to clearly document the circumstances, with implications on patient dignity and safeguarding both patients and staff. We aimed to analyse the quality of chaperone documentation in the breast clinic before and after intervention.
Method
Audit standards (GMC and Chelsea & Westminster Trust guidelines): [1] Consent [2] Chaperone use/refusal, and [3] Chaperone role and identity should be clearly documented in the notes. We collected breast clinic data prospectively over one week, then re-audited after interventions including teaching sessions to the breast MDT, introduction of electronic (e)-notes (Cerner©), and creation of an instructional video demonstrating how to create an automatic template to easily document the aspects of chaperone use.
Results
110 patients’ notes were analysed in the first cycle, and 74 in the second. Documentation improved significantly between cycle 1 and 2 for: consent (0% vs. 38%, p < 0.0001), identity of chaperone (12% vs. 35%, p = 0.0003), and role of chaperone (8% vs. 23%, p = 0.0091). Documentation for chaperone use or refusal improved, but this was not significant (27% vs. 35%, p = 0.3305).
Conclusions
Documentation improved significantly for most standards, likely due to the template prompting the clinician. However, documentation remains suboptimal. Possible reasons include forgetfulness in a busy clinic, or shortage of staff available to chaperone. Future recommendations include creating a mandatory template on the e-notes for all breast clinic documentation including a section for chaperone use, role, and identity, and providing more staff such as HCAs for the clinic.
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