A Prospective Evaluation of a Nurse-Led Stent Removal Service Using the Single-Use Isiris® in a Tertiary Referral Stone Unit and its Impact on Patient Waiting Times
Background and ObjectiveDouble J (JJ) ureteric stenting represents one of the most significant causes of patient discomfort and dissat-isfaction following endourological procedures. At our institution, a large tertiary referral centre for complex stones, standard JJ stent removal was previously undertaken with a flexible cystoscope (FC) in the endoscopy department by a doctor. The pathway was prone to delays through capacity constraints and prioritization being given to cancer investigations. The Isiris® is a single-use stent removal system consisting of a ‘camera on chip’ disposable FC with an integrated grasper. We examine the feasibility of a nurse-led stent removal service using Isiris®, performed as an office-based procedure, and its effect on waiting times. Material and MethodsA specialist stone nurse undertook training in FC approved by the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) and the British Association of Urological Nurses (BAUN). Once competency was reached, a nurse-led service was offered to patients in the outpatient setting. A prospective database from April 2018 to March 2020 was maintained to include patient data for stent removals in the nurse-led clinic using Isiris®. This was compared to a retrospective dataset of FC and stent removal between July 2016 and December 2016, per-formed by a doctor in the endoscopy department. The delays in stent removal compared to the ‘ideal’ stent removal date (planned date plus or minus 3 days tolerance allowed) were compared between the two pathways. ResultsThe specialist nurse undertook BAUS theory training and competency was reached using an approved BAUS/BAUN competency package. 414 stent removals were booked in the nurse group, of which 395 were undertaken. 291 of 395 (74%) patients in the nurse removal Isiris® group had their stent removed on time, whereas only 16 of 54 (30%) patients had their stents removed on time in the FC stent removal group. A delay of more than 21 days was seen in 22% of FC group vs only 2% in the nurse-led Isiris® group. Both planned removal and actual stent dwell time were longer in the FC group compared to Isiris® group (p < 0.0001). There were no major complications with the use of Isiris® for stent removal in the nurse-led clinic. ConclusionThis study has demonstrated that it is feasible to introduce a nurse-led stent removal service. The introduction of this service using the Isiris® system has led to a reduction in delays of stent removal, which is likely to trans-late into significant quality of life improvement for patients and economic benefits for the healthcare system.
