WE6.8 An audit to look at the current practice of treating ureteric stones and compare it to NICE/ BAUS guidelines. (9th August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Minhas, Avneet; Moss, Basil
• Is Part Of: British journal of surgery. Volume 109(2022)Supplement 5
• Publication Date: 2022-08-09
• Subjects: Surgery -- Periodicals; 617.005
• DOI: 10.1093/bjs/znac248.151
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1323

Abstract

Abstract: Aim: An audit to look at the current practice of treating ureteric stones and compare it to NICE/ BAUS guidelines. Methods: A retrospective audit looking at treatments given to patients presenting to the emergency department with renal colic. We looked at the time it took for patients to get a CT scan from the time of admission, the treatments provided to them as an inpatient, the subsequent outpatient follow-up, and the timescale within which these were provided. Results: A total of 50 patients were included. The average time it took for patients to get a CT scan from the time of admission was 16hours and 31 mins. Only 6% (3) of patients received definitive surgical treatment during their inpatient admission. 62% (31) of patients were treated conservatively, 26% (13) were treated with a ureteric stent, and 4% (2) with a nephrostomy. At follow-up, in patients managed conservatively, stone had passed spontaneously in 58% and remained in 35.5% of patients. Patients treated with interim measures like stent or nephrostomy had to wait approximately 7 weeks on average after their inpatient treatment for definitive management. Conclusion: Majority of patients were able to get a CT scan within the 24-hour target. Reasons for delayed definitive management could be not having access to suitable operating theatres or lack of trained staff to use the laser or assist with emergency stone treatments. Overcoming these obstacles could potentially lead to substantial cost savings on a population level and avoid subjecting patients to unnecessary second procedures and longer waiting periods.