1054 A Simple Intervention to Minimise the Incidence of The Forgotten Ureteric Stent: Updating the Surgical Discharge Summary. (12th October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wong, S; Sehgal, R; Goyal, A; Allen, D
• Is Part Of: British journal of surgery. Volume 108:Supplement 6(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-10-12
• Subjects: Surgery -- Periodicals; 617.005
• DOI: 10.1093/bjs/znab259.764
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1323

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Ureteric stents are routinely used in ureteric obstruction, however, have considerable morbidity with major complications, such as encrustation, obstruction, urosepsis, and renal failure if left in situ for longer than six months. Despite an electronic stent register, there are still multiple emergency admissions of complications from forgotten stents, as well as those presenting with significant stent symptoms. Often stents are inserted as an emergency procedure with minimal information given on their discharge summary. A discharge template was therefore introduced that could also serve as a patient information leaflet to help minimise the incidence of forgotten stents. Method: A discharge template was designed based off the trust-endorsed and British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) patient leaflet and distributed amongst the juniors. A total of 28 patients were interviewed via telephone questionnaires – 21 randomly selected pre-intervention and 7 post-intervention from a one-month scale either side of the intervention. The template included: information on stents, common stent symptoms, indications to seek healthcare advice, and contact details to use in the event they are lost to follow-up. Results: Patients aware that stents should be changed within six months went from 52% to 100%. Awareness of stent symptoms and red-flag symptoms went from 52% to 91%, and 57% to 100% respectively. Those who felt they had sufficient information on the discharge letter to understand their stent increased from 52 to 89%. Conclusions: Significant improvement in patient understanding of stents and therefore hopefully in appropriate health-seeking behaviour, patient rapport, safety, and improvement in stents removed within target.