The virtual ear, nose and throat follow-up clinic: a 10-year quality improvement project

2022 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-20
Author(s):  
Simon Morris ◽  
Tanvi Agarwal ◽  
Daniel Leopard ◽  
Rhodri Costello ◽  
Steven Backhouse
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Decision Process ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Outcome Data ◽  
Improvement Project ◽  
Service Demand ◽  
Patient Decision ◽  
Nose And Throat ◽  
Virtual Clinic

Background/Aims Ear, nose and throat services have seen one of the greatest increases in service demand over the last 6 years. This study aimed to determine if a virtual clinic system could reduce the volume of patients who need to be seen in person in an ear, nose and throat outpatient clinic. Methods Clinical outcome data for one consultant's team in a single ear, nose and throat department between 2009–19 were analysed. Data were prospectively collected on all patients who used the virtual clinic in this 10-year period and the outcomes analysed. Results A total of 3071 patients entered the virtual clinic during the 10-year period. Of these, 61% were discharged from the clinic via virtual follow-up and 39% required an in-person review appointment. On average, 187 patients per year did not have to attend an in-person follow-up appointment, with estimated cost savings of £27 000 per year. Conclusions The virtual ear, nose and throat clinic service has clear benefits for patients and services, delivering healthcare without unnecessary in-person appointments through a shared, clinician–patient decision process.

scholarly journals Outcomes of a National, Cross-Sector Antimicrobial Stewardship Training Initiative for Pharmacists in England

Pharmacy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 165
Author(s):  
Vincent Ng ◽  
Diane Ashiru-Oredope ◽  
Helena Rosado ◽  
Beth Ward
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Workforce Development ◽  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Antimicrobial Stewardship ◽  
Outcome Data ◽  
Improvement Project ◽  
Training Initiative ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
The Impact

(1) Background: Pharmacists play a pivotal role in tackling Antimicrobial resistance through antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) and are well placed to lead behaviour change interventions across the healthcare system; (2) Methods: A cross-sector AMS training initiative for pharmacists was implemented across England, with three cohorts between 2019–2021. Each cohort took part in an introductory workshop, followed- by a workplace-based quality improvement project supported by peer-assisted learning sessions. Completion of training was determined by an end of training assessment after three to four months. Outcome data and learner survey results were collated, anonymised, and analysed by the training provider. (3) Results: In total, 118 pharmacists participated in the introductory workshop, 70% of these subsequently undertook an improvement project, and 48% engaged workplace stakeholders in the process. Interventions were designed by 57% of learners and 18% completed a at least one Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle. Approximately a quarter of learners met the requirements for a Certificate of Completion. Knowledge quiz scores were obtained from 115 learners pre-training and 28 learners post-training. Paired t-tests conducted for 28 learners showed a statistically significant improvement in mean score from 67.7% to 81.1% (p < 0.0001). Sixty-two learner survey responses were received during the training and 21 follow-up survey responses 6 to 12 months post training. Of the 21 responses to the follow-up survey, ongoing quality improvement work and improvement outcomes were reported by nine and six learners, respectively. (4) Conclusions: The delivery of workplace-based training at scale can be challenging, however this study demonstrates that coupling learning with workplace implementation and peer support can promote behaviour change in learners. Further study into the impact of providing pharmacists across sectors and geographies with access to this type of training will help inform ongoing workforce development interventions.

69. A Quality Improvement Project to Increase Larc Follow-Up for Adolescents and Young Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. S36
Author(s):  
Sarah Pitts ◽  
Carly Milliren ◽  
Grace Berg ◽  
Danielle McPeak ◽  
Amy DiVasta
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Quality Improvement Project ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
Improvement Project

‘HINTS’ AT THE FRONT DOOR: AN ACUTE STROKE SERVICE QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 5-5
Author(s):  
Rebecca Rayner ◽  
Chit Hmu
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Hospital Setting ◽  
Medical Setting ◽  
Improvement Project ◽  
Stroke Service ◽  
Early Results ◽  
Bedside Test ◽  
Vestibular Pathology

Background/Aims Differential diagnosis of acute vertigo syndrome is challenging. In the acute medical setting, it is difficult to ascertain whether a person has definite peripheral vestibular pathology or a posterior circulation stroke. Mismanagement of these groups within our service is costly, with regards to correct medical input, MRI scan use and bed use within acute stroke services and the hospital setting. Research has demonstrated that the Head Impulse, Nystagmus, and Test of Skew (HINTS) test is efficacious, specific and sensitive in non-UK countries in determining if acute vertigo patients have dangerous (stroke) or benign (peripheral vestibular) pathology. It is not widely used in the UK. This may be due to well-known themes in implementation evidence such as cultural and clinician factors, as well as the lengthy time it takes to embed research into clinical settings. Methods We have started exploring, using Plan Do Study Act cycles, if the HINTS test can be successfully used in a large acute stroke service and the quality improvement effects this may have for patients (correct diagnosis, education/management and follow-up), financially to the Trust (efficient use of MRI scanning) and to the Stroke Pathway (effective bed use/acute medical management). Results Early results in round one of the quality improvement plan show that HINTS is a feasible bedside test to complete with 100% accuracy in the patients it was used on within the acute stroke pathway. This involved one stroke consultant and the patients' diagnosis with HINTS was assessed against routine follow-up MRI as appropriate. HINTS training has now been provided to all the stroke consultant and registrar team, A&E registrars and A&E advanced clinical practitioners, to senior physiotherapists in the acute stroke pathway and to the stroke alert nurses. Data gathering has commenced for round two, focusing further on bed use effects, as well as consideration of staff satisfaction with HINTS, and development of a recommended pathway for acute vertigo syndrome patients.

scholarly journals A Clinical Training Program for Hybrid Closed Loop Therapy in a Pediatric Diabetes Clinic

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 290-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cari Berget ◽  
Sarah E. Thomas ◽  
Laurel H. Messer ◽  
Katelin Thivener ◽  
Robert H. Slover ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Clinical Training ◽  
Insulin Pump ◽  
Improvement Project ◽  
Quality Improvement Process ◽  
Pediatric Diabetes ◽  
Clinical Training Program

Background: Hybrid closed loop (HCL) therapy is now available in clinical practice for treatment of type 1 diabetes; however, there is limited research on how to educate patients on this new therapy. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to optimize a HCL education program for pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Methods: Our multidisciplinary team developed a novel HCL clinical training program for current insulin pump users, using a quality improvement process called the Plan-Do-Study-Act model. Seventy-two patients participated in the HCL training program, which included (1) an in-person group class to reinforce conventional insulin pump and CGM use on the new system, (2) a live video conference class to teach HCL use, and (3) three follow-up phone calls in the first 4 weeks after HCL training to assess system use, make insulin adjustments, and provide targeted reeducation. Diabetes educators collected data during follow-up calls, and patients completed a training satisfaction survey. Results: The quality improvement process resulted in a training program that emphasized education on HCL exits, CGM use, and optimizing insulin to carbohydrate ratio settings. Patients successfully sustained time in HCL in the initial weeks of use and rated the trainings and follow-up calls highly. Conclusions: Ongoing educational support is vital in the early weeks of HCL use. This quality improvement project is the first to examine strategies for implementation of HCL therapy into a large pediatric diabetes center, and may inform best practices for implementation of new diabetes technologies into other diabetes clinics.

scholarly journals Speed Mentoring: An Effective & Efficient Path to Development of Mentor Relationships in a Military Obstetrics & Gynecology Residency

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison A Eubanks ◽  
Rene M MacKinnon ◽  
Kelly H Shay ◽  
Lily T Criscione ◽  
Rhiana D Saunders
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Leadership Roles ◽  
Improvement Project ◽  
Mentorship Program ◽  
Mentor Relationships ◽  
Institutional Review ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
National Capital ◽  
New Research

Abstract Introduction With a deficit of effective military residency mentorships, a paucity of research on successful mentorship programs, and growing reports on innovative mentoring programs, we developed a “Speed Mentoring” event for the National Capital Consortium OBGYN Residency. Materials and Methods The development, implementation, and follow-up responses through participant surveys were designed as an institutional review board (IRB)-approved evidence-based quality improvement project at our institution. Our event coordinated mentorship opportunities between residents and faculty from a wide range of specialties, leadership roles, and research experiences. Residents were matched with faculty that aligned with self-identified goals. Surveys were distributed prior to the event and at follow-up intervals to demonstrate the lasting impact and areas for improvement. Results Prior to our first event, every resident reported by survey that they desired more mentorship opportunities. However, only 55% could identify a specific mentor, citing limited time and difficulty establishing a relationship. Immediately following the event, 90% of residents scheduled a follow-up with at least one mentor. Forty-seven percent of residents reported inspiration to initiate a new research project. Meanwhile, faculty felt valued and gained satisfaction by “giving back” to their profession. After 1 month, half of the residents and faculty had already conducted at least one meeting. At 3 months, 76% of meetings centered on research and 23% on quality improvement projects. Fifty-seven percent of participants reported future scheduled meetings. At 6 months, 75% of residents reported meaningful mentorship relationships. Conclusions After demonstrating a need for improved mentorship opportunities, we implemented an efficient way to foster mentorship while expanding resident involvement in research, QI projects, and fellowship applications. This “Speed Mentorship” program can be easily adapted to all residency programs.

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