Quality of care in adult patients with inflammatory bowel disease transferring between healthcare providers: multicentre audit. Issue 1 (13th January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ahmad, Omer F; Ayubi, Homira; Clough, Jennie; Dart, Robin; Gadhok, Radha; Pannick, Samuel; Parkes, Gareth; Pavlidis, Polychronis; Segal, Jonathan; Sellers, Penelope
• Other Names: author non-byline.; Abbasi Faisal author non-byline.; Abbot Jane author non-byline.; Ahmad Omer author non-byline.; Akram Ali author non-byline.; Aslam Maria author non-byline.; Ayubi Homira author non-byline.; Clough Jennifer author non-byline.; Dart Robin author non-byline.; Dhillon Angad author non-byline.; Digby-Bell Jonathan author non-byline.; Eckersley Robert author non-byline.; Menabawey Tareq El author non-byline.; Finkel Jemima author non-byline.; Fofaria Rishi author non-byline.; Gadhok Radha author non-byline.; Gulati Shraddha author non-byline.; Hackett Richard author non-byline.; Harris-Folb Joy author non-byline.; Hiner George author non-byline.; Htet Hein author non-byline.; Hwang Sunjae author non-byline.; Jayasoorina Nishani author non-byline.; Kabir Misha author non-byline.; Kader Rawen author non-byline.; King Jonathan author non-byline.; Bernal Teo Lopez author non-byline.; Maurice James author non-byline.; Meade Susanna author non-byline.; Pannick Sam author non-byline.; Patel Mihir author non-byline.; Patel Raj author non-byline.; Pavlidis Polychronis author non-byline.; Powles Sam author non-byline.; Preedy Rebecca author non-byline.; Rao Rohit author non-byline.; Ravindran Srivasthan author non-byline.; Samaan Mark author non-byline.; Sebepos-Rogers Gregory author non-byline.; Segal Jonathan author non-byline.; Sehmbhi Mentaj author non-byline.; Tai Chehkuan author non-byline.; Theaker Holly author non-byline.; Tariq Zohib author non-byline.; Walton Hannah author non-byline.; Xu Allan author non-byline.;
• Is Part Of: Frontline gastroenterology. Volume 12:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 5
• Page End: 10
• Publication Date: 2020-01-13
• Subjects: inflammatory bowel disease -- audit -- epidemiology; Gastroenterology -- Periodicals; 616.33005
• DOI: 10.1136/flgastro-2019-101347
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2041-4137

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) predominantly affects young adults at critical socioeconomic periods of their lives. There are no studies examining the process of transfer of care for adult patients with IBD changing healthcare providers. Our aims were to assess the quality of referral information provided when patients with an established IBD diagnosis transfer care between heathcare providers and to assess the impact of referral quality on patient outcome. Methods: Retrospective data pertaining to IBD transfer of care referrals were collected from 16 hospitals across London over a 2-month period. Data were collected on patient demographics, source and content of referral and cross-referenced with an established transfer of care checklist. Patient outcome within the 6 months following transfer was also documented. Results: 154 cases were identified, over half of which transferred due to patient relocation. Details included in transfer letters were in many cases incomplete. In over 70% of cases, the letter came from primary care, including when a tertiary opinion was sought. Although referrals from primary care contained fewer patient data points, there was no association with poor patient outcomes at 6 months. Conclusion: This is the first study examining the quality of transfer of care in adult patients with IBD. We highlighted a significant and underreported issue and found that the majority of referrals were led by primary care. Though the inclusion in the referral of fewer data points was not associated with poor outcomes, we highlighted an area where gastroenterologists might take more responsibility to provide smooth and robust transfer of care.