ONE YEAR RETROSPECTIVE AUDIT OF CNS MALIGNANCY 2 WW REFERRALS

2015 ◽  
Vol 86 (11) ◽  
pp. e4.126-e4
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Ashton ◽  
Benjamin Smeeton ◽  
Stuart Weatherby
Keyword(s):  
Waiting Times ◽  
Final Diagnosis ◽  
Referral Process ◽  
Radiological Imaging ◽  
Outpatient Appointment ◽  
Detection Rates ◽  
Subsequent Time ◽  
Retrospective Audit ◽  
One Year ◽  
Cns Malignancy

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.

scholarly journals Giant jejunal gasto-intestinal stromal tumor: A rare cause of abdominal mass in an elderly female

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-67
Author(s):  
AC Diallo ◽  
A Ndong ◽  
I Niang ◽  
MB Ba ◽  
JA Thiam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Abdominal Mass ◽  
Pelvic Mass ◽  
Final Diagnosis ◽  
Progressive Increase ◽  
Stromal Tumor ◽  
Biological Assessment ◽  
Pathological Examination ◽  
Tissue Mass ◽  
Surgical Specimen ◽  
One Year

OBJECTIVE: We report the case of a patient presenting an abdominal mass whose final diagnosis is a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). CLINICAL OBSERVATION: It was a 61-year-old patient with no pathological history received for a progressive increase in the volume of the abdomen evolving for one year and painless. On examination, the patient was in good general condition, with normal patterns. There was an abdomino-pelvic mass of about 20 cm long axis, mobile. The rest of the exam was unremarkable. The biological assessment was normal. Abdominopelvic computed tomography revealed a tissue mass with necrosis. During the surgical exploration, a mass developed on the mesenteric border 45 cm from the Treitz angle was noted. It is not associated with ascites or peritoneal carcinoma. Bowel resection removing the mass was performed followed by end-to-end anastomosis. Pathological examination of the surgical specimen diagnosed GIST. The postoperative course at three months was excellent both clinically and radiologically. CONCLUSION: The case that we report underlines the possible jejunal localization of GIST and the clinical presentation may be usual. It also shows the difficulty of obtaining a preoperative diagnosis and the central role of surgery in management.

scholarly journals Perforated Meckel’s Diverticulitis in a Patient with Unknown Intestinal Malrotation: Clinical Pitfall

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Marie Burgard ◽  
Floryn Cherbanyk ◽  
François Pugin ◽  
Bernhard Egger
Keyword(s):  
Acute Appendicitis ◽  
Clinical Presentation ◽  
Final Diagnosis ◽  
Intestinal Malrotation ◽  
Radiological Imaging ◽  
Atypical Clinical Presentation ◽  
Lower Abdominal Quadrant ◽  
Meckel’S Diverticulitis ◽  
The Right ◽  
Abdominal Quadrant

Symptomatic Meckel’s diverticulum is rare in adults. The most frequent complications are intestinal obstruction and diverticulitis. Diagnosis of Meckel’s diverticulitis can be challenging due to nonspecific clinical manifestation of pain in the right lower abdominal quadrant, mimicking acute appendicitis. If associated with congenital malformation, such as intestinal malrotation, the anomalous anatomy makes the diagnosis even more challenging. In such cases, radiological imaging is essential to guide further management. We present a case of Meckel’s diverticulitis in which physicians were initially misguided because of the atypical clinical presentation. Yet, anamnestic details directed to a potential underlying malformation, leading to supplementary radiological examination and the final diagnosis.

scholarly journals Study in the Quality of Clinical Documentation Practice in Chitwan Medical College Teaching Hospital, Nepal

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 11-16
Author(s):  
Upendra Pandit
Keyword(s):  
Teaching Hospital ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
College Teaching ◽  
Final Diagnosis ◽  
Pooled Analysis ◽  
Medical Documentation ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Patient Consent ◽  
One Year

Background: Primary documentation of a patient is crucial for making effective healthcare decision and improvements in the quality of care. The objective of this study was to assess the quality of current documentation practice in tertiary care hospitals. Materials and methods: This was an assessment of medical documentation practice of one year from the period of January 2010 to December 2010 in Chitwan Medical College, Teaching Hospital. Total 184 patients' discharge files were enrolled and reviewed. Documentation was reviewed in its quality such as completeness, Coherent, consistency and Legibility.Results: In overall pooled analysis, High omission rate was observed in final diagnosis, results (cure, improved, referral and death), hospital stay, and final case summary. Although, satisfactory performance was observed in complete set of forms (72.2%); Patient consent for treatment &release authorization forms (78.2%) and treatment chart (60.8%), the overall pooled performance in ten components showed50% performance gap. Study demonstrated that documentation and its legibility, coherent and consistency in all departments needs substantial improvements in the institution.JNGMC Vol. 12 No. 2 December 2014, Page: 11-16

Evaluation of the contribution of radiological imaging to the final diagnosis in medical case reports

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 1407-1412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabel Wiesinger ◽  
Gregor Scharf ◽  
Natascha Platz ◽  
Lena M. Dendl ◽  
Michael T. Pawlik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Reports ◽  
Final Diagnosis ◽  
Radiological Imaging ◽  
Medical Case

Abstract T P42: Patients With a Clinical Diagnosis of Non-disabling Stroke, and a Normal MRI are Clinically Indistinguishable From Patients With a MRI Lesion at 1 Year Post Stroke

Stroke ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Makin ◽  
Martin Dennis ◽  
Joanna M Wardlaw
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Assessment ◽  
Expert Panel ◽  
Recurrent Stroke ◽  
Final Diagnosis ◽  
Cognitively Impaired ◽  
Post Stroke ◽  
Mild Stroke ◽  
One Year

Background: Up to one third of patients with a clinically apparent mild stroke and no other apparent cause of their symptoms have a normal MRI. We examined disability, recurrent stroke, and cognitive impairment at one year compared to patient with an MRI-DWI lesion. Methods: We recruited consecutive patients with a non-disabling ischaemic stroke, and performed clinical assessment and MRI (with DWI) . An expert panel reviewed all cases, we included patients with a final diagnosis of stroke and excluded patients with another diagnosis. At one year post stroke we recorded modified Rankin scale (mRs), stroke and TIA recurrence, Addenbrookes Cognitive Assessment Revised (ACE-R) and the Beck Depression index (BDI) and performed another MRI. Non-attenders were assessed by telephone or post. We defined cognitive impairment as ACE-R of <88, and depression as a BDI of >9. Results: Almost one third (75/264) (median NIHSS=2) of patients had a no relevant lesion on MRI DWI. There was no difference in age, sex, symptoms, or risk factors in patients with and without a lesion, 197 had MRI at 1 year (all had clinical follow-up). Of 75 with no lesion, 41% were mRs ≥2, 13% had recurrent stroke or TIA, 36% were cognitively impaired and 46% had depression. This was not significantly different from the patients with a lesion. Of the 197 who had a follow-up MRI 50 patients with no initial lesion had follow-up MRI and one had a new lesion, (versus 20/147 patients with a lesion) (p=0.016). Conclusions: Patients with a clinical stroke and no other obvious cause for their symptoms are clinically indistinguishable from patients with the same NIHSS who have a lesion on DWI-MRI, in terms of recurrence, disability, or cognitive impairment. Suggesting that these patients have had a stroke that does not appear on MRI. The presence of an initial lesion increases the liklihood of a lesion on 1 year MRI, however without a difference in clinical stroke this is of doubtful significance.

P110 External ventricular drain-related infections: a single centre study

2019 ◽  
Vol 90 (3) ◽  
pp. e51.1-e51
Author(s):  
JC Duddy ◽  
MGJ O’Sullivan ◽  
C Lim ◽  
GF Kaar
Keyword(s):  
Average Length ◽  
External Ventricular Drain ◽  
Sampling Rate ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Sampling Protocol ◽  
Retrospective Audit ◽  
Single Centre Study ◽  
Hospital Stays ◽  
One Year

ObjectivesTo quantify the External Ventricular Drain-related infection (ERI) rate in a one year period at Cork University Hospital, and to identify any risk factors for infection.DesignA retrospective audit of all External Ventricular Drains (EVDs) inserted in a one year period.SubjectsAll patients who had an EVD inserted between February 2017 and February 2018.MethodsPatients were identified from operating theatre logbooks. All relevant data was obtained from a retrospective review of medical and operative records. ERI was defined as evidence of positive CSF culture.Results41 EVDs were inserted in a total of 30 patients during the study period. The average age was 52.9 years. 46.6% of patients were female. The average length of EVD insertion was 8.85 days. The most common reason for EVD insertion was subarachnoid haemorrhage (31.7%) followed by supratentorial tumour (24.4%). 78% of EVDs were antibiotic-impregnated. Average EVD sampling rate was 0.7. ERI rate was 1/41 (2.4%). The infection occurred in a patient who had an EVD inserted for haemorrhage secondary to an AVM which had remained in situ for 13 days. The patient subsequently developed problems with repeated shunt infections resulting in a nine-month hospital stay.ConclusionsThe ERI rate in our patient cohort was 2.4%. We recommend using a strict EVD sampling protocol to minimise manipulation of EVDs and where possible to limit the length of time an EVD remains in situ. EVD-related infections can result in lengthy hospital stays and increased healthcare costs.

Telehealth interventions for reducing waiting lists and waiting times for specialist outpatient services: A scoping review

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 504-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liam J Caffery ◽  
Mutaz Farjian ◽  
Anthony C Smith
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Outpatient Care ◽  
Waiting Times ◽  
Waiting Lists ◽  
Referral Process ◽  
Outpatient Services ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Specialist Services ◽  
Telehealth Intervention

We undertook a scoping review of the published literature to identify and summarise key findings on the telehealth interventions that influence waiting times or waiting lists for specialist outpatient services. Searches were conducted to identify relevant articles. Articles were included if the telehealth intervention restructured or made the referral process more efficient. We excluded studies that simply increased capacity. Two categories of interventions were identified – electronic consultations and image-based triage. Electronic consultations are asynchronous, text-based provider-to-provider consultations. Electronic consultations have been reported to obviate the need for face-to-face appointments between the patient and the specialist in between 34–92% of cases. However, it is often reported that electronic consultations are appropriate in less than 10% of referrals for outpatient care. Image-based triage has been used successfully to reduce unnecessary or inappropriate referrals and was used most often in dermatology, ophthalmology and otolaryngology (ENT). Reported reduction rates for face-to-face appointments by specialty were: dermatology 38–88%, ophthalmology 16–48% and ENT 89%. Image–based triage can be twice as effective as non-image based triage in reducing unnecessary appointments. Telehealth interventions can effectively be used to reduce waiting lists and improve the coordination of specialist services, and should be considered in conjunction with clinical requirements.

Paediatrician perceptions of patient referral and discharge

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 561 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary L. Freed ◽  
Erin Turbitt ◽  
Sarah Gafforini ◽  
Marina Kunin
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Waiting Times ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Clinical History ◽  
Sufficient Information ◽  
Referral Process ◽  
Frequency Distributions ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
History Of ◽  
Efficient Care

Objective The aim of the present study was to determine the factors involved in the decision of paediatric specialists to discharge patients back to their primary care provider following referral. Return of patients to primary care, when medically appropriate, is essential to provide efficient care to children given the limited workforce of paediatric subspecialists in Australia. Methods Data were compiled from a self-completed mail survey of all paediatricians in five specialties at two children’s hospitals in Melbourne (n = 81). Analysis involved frequency distributions and descriptive analyses, followed by bivariate analyses to determine the differences, if any, among respondents based on the demographic variables collected. Results The response rate was 91%. Most paediatricians (73%) believed that at least sometimes referrals were for a condition general practitioners (GPs) should be able to manage themselves. However, only 36% reported that they frequently or almost always provided the referring GP with information on how to care for the particular condition without a referral. Concerns regarding whether a patient would receive required care following discharge were felt to be important by most paediatricians. Further, many paediatricians reported that their discharge decision is affected by concerns it would be too complicated to arrange for a GP to take over the care of a patient. Conclusions Understanding the factors involved in the referral process and the decision to discharge patients from speciality care clinics to primary care is essential to develop strategies to address long waiting times. Ensuring appropriate referral of children involves the participation of GPs, parents and specialists. What is known about the topic? Most paediatric subspecialists practice in paediatric hospitals, where there is a sufficient volume of patients requiring their services. There have been reports across Australia of increased referrals to general and subspecialist paediatricians, with subsequent increases in waiting times and difficulties accessing timely care for children. There are anecdotal reports of inappropriate referrals to paediatric subspecialty clinics. What does this paper add? There is broad sentiment among paediatric specialists that they receive many referrals from GPs without either a clear rationale for the referral and/or sufficient information regarding the clinical history of the patient. Few paediatricians report contacting the referring GP to obtain additional information. Paediatricians believe parents are a frequent driver of both necessary and unnecessary referrals. What are the implications for practitioners? Understanding the factors involved in the referral process and the decision to discharge patients from speciality care clinics to primary care is essential to develop strategies to address long waiting times.

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