Duplication of referral, a tsunami of paper: how much does it cost the Irish health services?

Improving Access to Specialty Pediatric Care: Innovative Referral and eConsult Technology in a Specialized Acute Care Hospital

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated wait times for pediatric specialty care. Transformative technologies such as electronic referral (eReferral-automation of patient information) and electronic consultations (eConsult-asynchronous request for specialized advice by primary care providers) have the potential to increase timely access to specialist care. The objective of this study was to present an overview of the current state and characteristics of referrals directed to a pediatric ambulatory medical surgery center, with an emphasis on the innovative use of an eConsult system and to indicate key considerations for system improvement. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a specialized pediatric acute care hospital in Ottawa, Ontario. Secondary data were obtained over a 2-year period during the COVID-19 pandemic (2019-2022). To gain insights and identify areas of improvement related to the factors pertaining to referrals and eConsults at the process and system levels, quality improvement (QI) methodologies were employed. Descriptive statistics provide a summary of the trends and characteristics of referrals and the utilization of eConsult. Results: Among the 113,790 referrals received, 31,430 were denied. Most common reasons for referral denial were other/null (e.g., unspecified) (29.3%), inappropriate referrals (12.6%), and duplicate referrals (12.4%). Four clinics (e.g., endocrinology, cardiology, neurology, and neurosurgery) reported a total of 277 eConsults, with endocrinology accounting for 95.0% of all eConsults. QI findings revealed the need for standardized workflows among specialties and ensuring that eConsult options are accessible and integrated within the electronic medical record (EMR). Conclusions: Refining the pediatric referral management process and optimizing eConsult through existing clinical systems have the potential to improve the timeliness and quality of specialty care. The results inform future research initiatives targeting improved access to pediatric specialty care and serve as a benchmark for hospitals utilizing EMRs and eConsult.

Genetic services survey-experience of people with rare diseases and their families accessing genetic services in the Irish Republic

Irish Health Service objectives state that patients with rare diseases should have timely access to genomic diagnostics with appropriate pre and post-test counselling. However, waiting times for clinical genetics outpatient appointments, during the study period, were up to two years as staffing levels remain low. A targeted public online survey was conducted in January 2022 to capture the experiences of Rare Disease families trying to access genetic testing and clinical genetic clinics in the Irish Republic. Irish patients experience significant waiting times to access clinical genetic services and self-report anxiety and stress, related to delayed access to diagnosis, clarity around recurrence risk and follow-up management. This negatively impacts personal decisions around family planning, education and employment and has a significant impact on family members seeking clarity on their own risk. Mainstream genetic testing activity is significant. Families report concern over the competency of health care professionals arranging and delivering genetic results and delays in accessing clinical genetics expertise to take them through the clinical implications. Timely access to clinical genetics expertise is important to ensure families with rare diseases have an appropriate understanding of the medical and reproductive implications of a genetic diagnosis and access to relevant care pathways. A national framework to develop competency in genomic literacy for health-care professionals including a national genetic test directory may be beneficial. Clinical genetics teams require ongoing support and investment to ensure the delivery of a safe and effective service for Irish families with rare diseases.

The cost of rejection: an internal audit of the clinical genetics service active triage pathway at CHI Crumlin, Ireland

BACKGROUND

Clinical genetics is an under-resourced service in the Republic of Ireland. There can be a number of avenues that lead to barriers in patient triage noted within the department.

AIMS

To evaluate the reasons for referral rejection in the triage pathway. To identify the time and cost implications.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of rejected referrals consecutively triaged by one consultant was undertaken over an 18-month period. Calculation of costs used data from a previous study.

RESULTS

The consultant rejected 128/1581 (8.3%) of referrals. The rejection reasons included the following: 75% had not included the family/patient genetic report, 10% were conditions not accepted by our service, 8% redirected to other specialities, 3% given written advice in lieu of appointment and 4% for other reasons. Follow-up information was requested on 78% of rejected referrals. For 57% this was received; in 43% no response was received, and these cases remain closed. Median response time was 33 days. Of those who sent back appropriate information, 39% remain on waiting list, 50% attended OPD or were given appropriate advice, 5% did not attend and 4% had alternative follow-up pathways. The estimated time cost of rejected referrals equated to 88.5 h (59 h/year). Using this as our cost of rejection letter, it equated €11,878.4/year departmental cost.

CONCLUSION

The majority of referrals are rejected for non-enclosure of patient genetic reports. Many referrals would have accepted to the waiting list if the appropriate report had been attached. This means patients at risk of genetic disorders are not accessing clinical services because the referrer is not providing the necessary information to allow triage. Active management of the waiting list via upfront letters is costly, with a 57% response rate. Should similar rejection rates exist in other specialities, we estimate this would equate to a cost of €2,714,214.40/year to the HSE.

A qualitative reflexive thematic analysis into the experiences of being identified with a BRCA1/2 gene alteration: "So many little, little traumas could have been avoided"

Background

BRCA1/2 alterations increase females’ lifetime breast cancer risk to 40 – 90%, ovarian cancer to 10 – 60%, and males’ lifetime prostate cancer risk to ~ 10 – 25%. Psychosocial issues such as heightened distress can, therefore, occur in this population. This study aimed to explore the subjective experiences and needs of the BRCA1/2 alteration population in navigating cancer risk reduction measures.

Method

This study aimed to explore the experiences and identify the needs of 18 BRCA1/2 alteration carriers, recruited through strategic sampling. A public and patient panel (N = 6) collaborated on study development. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

Two themes were identified: (i) Healthcare Services as a Burden to Navigate, and (ii) Burden Experienced Through Interactions with Healthcare Professionals. Results indicated uncertainty regarding care pathways, alongside a lack of relevant information. Participants felt unsupported by healthcare professionals, and as though healthcare professionals often perceive them as a burden.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that the quality of interactions in healthcare systems are of relevance to the BRCA1/2 alteration population, and that uncertainty surrounding access to services and information is prevalent. The establishment of specialist hereditary cancer clinics could reduce such burden.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-022-08372-w.