Arroyo A, Andreu J, García P, Jover S, Arroyo M, Fernández A, Costa D, Oliver I, Hernández H, Schwartz H, Reillo M, Calpena R, Arenas C. [Analysis of a programme of direct referral between primary and specialist care in potential surgery patients].
Aten Primaria 2001;
28:381-5. [PMID:
11602117 PMCID:
PMC7684138 DOI:
10.1016/s0212-6567(01)70399-x]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To describe the results of a programme of direct referral of potential surgery patients between primary and specialist care, designed to lessen waiting-times.Design. Prospective, longitudinal and descriptive study.
SETTING
Health Area N. masculine 19 (Valencian Health Service): Surgery Service of Elche Hospital and 6 Health Centres.
PARTICIPANTS
Patients with pathologies that do not need special techniques for diagnosis except examination and who have a clear irrefutable indication of surgery without risk factors (ASA I-II).Intervention. The referral protocol consists of: a) diagnosis of pathology and pre-operative study in primary care (PC); b) appointment made by phone for the surgery clinic at the hospital, where diagnosis and pre-operative study are confirmed; c) referral and operation in the unit of non-hospital major surgery (UCMA); d) monitoring post-operation by the home hospitalisation unit (HHU) or preferably by the health centre, and e) check-up at the surgery clinic. Main measurements. The degree of agreement between PC and the specialist, assessment of the pre-operative study, and waiting time.
RESULTS
86 patients were referred (average age, 35; 76% male) by 28 doctors. The most common pathologies were hernia (36%), pilonidal sinus (23.2%) and miscellaneous (32.5%). There was general agreement in diagnosis in 90.7% of cases. 89.5% of patients brought the proper pre-operative study. Mean waiting time between the primary care consultation in the different procedures and the first hospital consultation was 19 days; with 44 more days elapsing till the surgical operation.
CONCLUSIONS
This new programme is effective and economic, in that there is <<adequate referral>> of patients, waiting time is reduced by over 7 months for pilonidal sinus and by over 2 years for hernia pathology, and the procedure can be used for a large number of patients, as the pathologies involved are very common.
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