PP19 Primary care streaming in emergency departments- contexts and mechanisms associated with perceived effectiveness outcomes: a realist evaluation

2021 ◽  
Vol 38 (9) ◽  
pp. A9.1-A9
Author(s):  
Michelle Edwards ◽  
Alison Cooper ◽  
Freya Davies ◽  
Andrew Carson Stevens ◽  
Adrian Edwards ◽  
...  

BackgroundRecent policy has encouraged emergency departments (EDs) to deploy nurses to stream patients from the ED front door to GPs working in a separate GP service operating within or alongside an ED. We aimed to describe mechanisms relating to effectiveness of streaming in different primary care service models identified in EDs. We explored perceptions of whether patients were perceived to be appropriately streamed to emergency care, primary care, other hospital services or community primary care services; and effects on patient flow (waiting times and length of stay in the ED); and safe streaming outcomes.MethodsWe used realist evaluation methodology to explore perceived streaming effectiveness. We visited 13 EDs with different primary care service models (purposively selected across England & Wales; 8 streamed primary care patients to a primary care clinician) and carried out observations of triage/streaming and patient flow and interviews with key members of staff (consultants, GPs, nurses). Field notes and audio-recorded interviews were transcribed and analysed by creating context, mechanism and outcome configurations to refine and develop theories relating to streaming effectiveness.ResultsWe identified five contexts (nurses’ knowledge and experience, streaming guidance, teamwork and communication, operational management and strategic management) that facilitated mechanisms that influenced the effectiveness of streaming (streaming to an appropriate service, patient flow, delivering safe care). We integrated a middle range psychological theory (cognitive continuum theory) with our findings to recommend a focus for training nurses in streaming and service improvements.ConclusionsWe identified key mechanisms relating to the effectiveness of primary care streaming in different models of service. We recommend a collaborative approach to service development, guidance and training (including input from ED clinicians and primary care clinicians) and a range of training strategies that are suitable for less experienced junior nurses and more experienced senior nurses and nurse practitioners.

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (12) ◽  
pp. 837-838
Author(s):  
Michelle Edwards ◽  
Michelle Edwards ◽  
Alison Cooper ◽  
Freya Davies ◽  
Andrew Carson Stevens ◽  
...  

Aims/Objectives/BackgroundRecent policy has encouraged emergency departments (EDs) to deploy nurses to stream patients from the ED front door to GPs working in a separate GP service operating within or alongside an ED. We aim to describe mechanisms relating to effectiveness of streaming in different primary care service models identified in emergency departments. We explored whether patients were appropriately streamed to emergency care, primary care, other hospital services or community primary care services; patient flow (including effects on waiting times and length of stay in the emergency department); and safe streaming outcomes. We sought suggestions for quality improvements relating to streamingMethods/DesignA realist evaluation methodology was used to explore perceived streaming effectiveness. We visited 13 emergency departments (purposively selected across England & Wales; 8 streamed primary care patients to a primary care clinician) and carried out observations of triage/streaming and patient flow and interviews with key members of staff (consultants, GPs, nurses).Field notes from observations and audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and were analysed by creating context, mechanism and outcome configurations to refine and develop theories relating to streaming effectiveness.Results/ConclusionsWe identified five contexts (nurses’ knowledge and experience, streaming guidance, teamwork and communication, operational management and strategic management) that facilitated mechanisms that influenced the effectiveness of streaming (streaming to an appropriate service, patient flow, delivering safe care). We integrated a middle range psychological theory with our findings to recommend a focus for training nurses in streaming and service improvements. We recommend a collaborative approach to service development, guidance and training (including input from emergency department clinicians, primary care clinicians) and a range of training strategies that are suitable for less experienced junior nurses and more experienced senior nurses and nurse practitioners.


2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. bjgp19X703277
Author(s):  
Alison Cooper ◽  
Andrew Carson-Stevens ◽  
Niro Siriwardena ◽  
Adrian Edwards

BackgroundNew healthcare service models are being introduced to help manage increasing demand on emergency healthcare systems including the provision of primary care services in or alongside emergency departments. There is little research evidence to guide decisions about how service models can be most effective and safe.AimFocusing on diagnostic error, the aim was to learn why errors occur to identify priority interventions.MethodTwo data sources were used to identify diagnostic error reports including: coroners’ reports to prevent future deaths; and the National Reporting and Learning System (NRLS). A cross-sectional, mixed-methods theory-generating study which used a multi-axial PISA classification system based on the recursive model for incident analysis, was carried out.ResultsNine Coroners’ reports (from a total of 1347 community and hospital reports, 2013–2018) and 217 NRLS reports (from 13 million, 2005–2015) were identified describing diagnostic error with learning relevant to primary care services in or alongside emergency departments. Clinical presentations included musculoskeletal injuries; unwell infants; headaches; and chest pains. Findings highlighted a difficulty identifying appropriate patients for the primary care service; underinvestigation; misinterpretation of diagnostic tests; underuse of safeguarding protocols; and inadequate communication and referral pathways between the services.ConclusionPriority areas to minimise risk of diagnostic error when primary care services are located in or alongside emergency departments include clinical decision support to triage and stream patients to the appropriate care setting; contextualised, workplace-based education and training for primary care staff; and standardised computer systems, communication and referral pathways between emergency and primary care services.


2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (12) ◽  
pp. 840.3-841
Author(s):  
Mazhar Choudrhey ◽  
Michelle Edwards ◽  
Alison Cooper ◽  
Pippa Anderson ◽  
Thomas Hughes ◽  
...  

Aims/Objectives/BackgroundWe aim to examine senior managers’ perspectives on funding mechanisms used to implement the policy and experiences of success or challenges in introducing models of using GPs in or alongside emergency departments. Health policy in England has advocated the use of primary care clinicians at emergency departments to address pressures from rising attendances. However, implementing large systemic changes such as placing GPs in or alongside emergency departments requires significant funding, consideration of the opportunity costs of the alternative uses of such funding, an available workforce and evidence of how it should be used. Our findings will inform policy adaptation and service development to improve the healthcare provided to patients by providing new evidence of the reported experiences of adopting models of using GPs in or alongside emergency departments.Methods/DesignThe perspectives of senior clinical, business and finance managers with responsibility for emergency department services and on-site primary care service implementation were investigated in semi-structured interviews with 31 managers at 12 type-1 emergency departments in England and Wales. Emergency departments operated one of three GP models or had prior experience of implementing a GP model. Interviews were thematically analysed.Results/ConclusionsSuccessful GPs models in emergency departments were perceived to be reliant on well-organised and unified funding mechanisms, appropriate staffing and governance, and consideration of population demands and needs. Funding mechanisms and the flow of funds were reported as complex, the most efficient mechanisms were described at departments where funding was unified, in collaboration with health and community care services. Staffing with local, experienced GPs was important. There were also cautions from experiences with private locum providers. Our findings contribute to debates about implementing policy on how primary care clinicians are effectively and safely deployed in emergency departments and how local context should be considered.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Brand ◽  
Fiona Ward ◽  
Niamh MacDonagh ◽  
Sharon Cunningham ◽  
Ladislav Timulak

Abstract Background The Counselling in Primary Care service (CIPC) is the first and only nationally available public counselling service in the Republic of Ireland. This study provides initial data for the effectiveness of short-term psychotherapy delivered in a primary care setting in Ireland for the first time. Method A practice-based observational research approach was employed to examine outcome data from 2806 clients receiving therapy from 130 therapists spread over 150 primary care locations throughout Ireland. Pre-post outcomes were assessed using the CORE-OM and reliable and clinically significant change proportions. Binary logistic regression examined the effect of pre therapy symptom severity on the log odds of recovering. Six and 12 month follow up data from a subsample of 276 clients were also analysed using growth curve analysis. Results Of 14,156 referred clients, 5356 presented for assessment and 52.3% (N = 2806) consented to participate. Between assessment and post-therapy a large reduction in severity of symptoms was observed- Cohen’s d = 0.98. Furthermore, 47% of clients achieved recovery,a further 15.5% reliably improved, 2.7% reliably deteriorated and34.7% showed no reliable improvement. Higher initial severity was associated with less chance of recovering at post-therapy. Significant gains were maintained between assessment and12 months after therapy- Cohen’s d = 0.50. Conclusions Outcomes for clients in the CIPC service compared favourably with large scale counselling and psychotherapy services in jurisdictions in the U.K., the U.S.A., Norway and Sweden. This study expands the international primary care psychotherapy research base to include the entire Republic of Ireland jurisdiction.


CJEM ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 11 (05) ◽  
pp. 455-461 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Ducharme ◽  
Robert J. Alder ◽  
Cindy Pelletier ◽  
Don Murray ◽  
Joshua Tepper

ABSTRACT Objective: We sought to assess the impact of the integration of the new roles of primary health care nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) on patient flow, wait times and proportions of patients who left without being seen in 6 Ontario emergency departments (EDs). Methods: We performed a retrospective review of health records data on patient arrival time, time of initial assessment by a physician, time of discharge from the ED and discharge status. Results: Whether a PA or NP was directly involved in the care of patients or indirectly involved by being on duty, the wait times, lengths of stay and proportion of patients who left without being seen were significantly reduced. When a PA or NP were directly involved in patients' care, patients were 1.6 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3–2.1, p < 0.05) and 2.1 (95% CI 1.6–2.8, p < 0.05) times more likely to be seen within the wait time benchmarks, respectively. Lengths of stay were 30.3% (95% CI 21.6%–39.0%, p < 0.01) and 48.8% (95% CI 35.0%–62.7%, p < 0.01) lower when PAs and NPs, respectively, were involved. When PAs and NPs were not on duty, the proportion of patients who left without being seen were 44% (95% CI 31%–63%, p < 0.01) and 71% (95% CI 53%–96%, p < 0.05), respectively. Conclusion: The addition of PAs or NPs to the ED team can improve patient flow in medium-sized community hospital EDs. Given the ongoing shortage of physicians, use of alternative health care providers should be considered. These results require validation, as their generalizability to other locations or types of EDs is not known.


2004 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 167-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enone Welthagen ◽  
Sarah Talbot ◽  
Oliver Harrison ◽  
Michael Phelan

Aims and MethodA prospective descriptive study was set up to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and activity of an innovative weekly primary care service for patients admitted for acute psychiatric care.ResultsDuring 10 months, 36 clinics were held and 123 appointments were attended. Presenting complaints included a wide range of acute and chronic conditions, affecting all body systems. As well as treating specific complaints, the doctor providing this service undertook considerable health promotion work and gave advice about patient management to junior psychiatrists.Clinical ImplicationsIt appears that there is considerable need for primary care expertise within an acute psychiatric unit, and that a weekly clinic is a feasible model of care.


1997 ◽  
Vol 115 (5) ◽  
pp. 1533-1536
Author(s):  
Luiz Francisco Marcopito

OBJECTIVE:To determine the roll-over test (ROT) performance in predicting pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) in primigravidae aged 15-29 years in a public primary care service. METHOD: Prospective cohort study enrolling 369 consecutive and initially normotensive primigravidae. The ROT was applied within 28-32 weeks of pregnancy. PIH was defined as diastolic blood pressure (DBP) 90 mm Hg or systolic blood pressure (SBP) 140 mm Hg, or a rise in DBP 15 mm Hg or a rise in SBP 30 mm Hg. The ROT prognostic properties were calculated, and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed. RESULTS: For the 20 mm Hg cutoff point, sensitivity was 20% and specificity was 93%. Positive and negative predictive values were, respectively, 23% and 92%, for a PIH cumulative incidence of 9.5%. With other cutoff points, the ROC curve showed a poor discriminatory value of the test. CONCLUSION: The ROT was not useful for predicting PIH in a primary prenatal care setting.


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