EP.WE.485An Audit to Investigate the Incidence of Face-to-Face Patient Review by GPs Prior to Referral to Surgical Assessment Unit. (28th October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Murray, Hannah
• Is Part Of: British journal of surgery. Volume 108:Supplement 7(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-10-28
• Subjects: Surgery -- Periodicals; 617.005
• DOI: 10.1093/bjs/znab308.059
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1323

Abstract

Abstract: Aims: Since COVID-19, GP's have been encouraged to do fewer face-to-face consultations to prevent unnecessary patient contact 1 . Anecdotally, this initially resulted in many patients being referred to SAU who had not been seen by a GP, and then being discharged back to the community the same day, causing potentially increased risk of contracting COVID-19 through hospital attendance. The aim of this audit was to investigate the incidence of patients referred to SAU not seen by a GP and discharged the same day. Methods: GP referrals were identified over a 7 day period through the surgical take electronic system Aramis©. The case notes and GP documentation were reviewed to identify whether a face-to-face GP consultation occurred, and then whether the patient was admitted to SAU or discharged the same day. Results: During a 7 day period, there were 24 (n = 24) GP referrals of which only 3 (12.5%) were not seen by the GP, all of whom were admitted for at least one night. However, of the patients referred and seen by GP, 7 (29%) were discharged the same day. Conclusions: This demonstrates that during this 7-day period, there was no incidence of inappropriate GP referral to SAU of patients not seen by a GP, and the majority of GP referrals warranted admission. This suggests that in most cases, GPs are avoiding unnecessary emergency surgical referrals and attempt to review patients face-to-face prior to referral, thus reducing patient risk of contact with COVID-19 in the hospital setting.