Showing papers by "Derek Bell published in 2008"

Improving continuity of care in an acute medical unit: initial outcomes

Abstract: Background: The importance of acute medical units and their associated medical cover is stressed in current practice but there is a paucity of existing research to establish their impact on acute patient care. Aim: To assess the impact of a new medical admission process and associated medical cover on patient length of stay (LOS), direct discharge rates (DDR) (for admissions <24 and 48 h), daily discharge and readmission rates (RR). Design: We performed a retrospective analysis of 3163 medical patients admitted before and after a ward was reconfigured to function as an acute medical unit (AMU), with a new on-call rota: ‘consultant of the day’ changing to ‘consultant of the weekend’, with aligned junior medical cover. Methods: All medical admissions were analysed over three 2-month periods: two periods prior to the new AMU process (October to November, 2005 and June to July, 2006), and one period after the changes (October to Nov, 2006) which were made in August 2006. Results: Average LOS was reduced from 8.6 and 9.3 for the two previous periods (June to July, 2006 and October to November, 2005) to 7.8 days for October to November, 2006, ( P = 0.028). DDR for patients with a LOS under 24 and 48 h increased from 21.3% and 31.2% to 28.5% and 39.5%, respectively for both 24 h ( P < 0.005) and 48 h LOS ( P = 0.038). No significant difference in RR were observed (within 7 days) over the same periods. For admissions <48 h, the percentage of patients discharged increased for the Consultant-led teams ( P < 0.006) before and after the new process. A statistically insignificant trend in relation to DDR was observed towards increased discharges over the weekend. Discussion: The change in AMU process has resulted in improved DDR and patient length of stay, with no adverse effects on RR.

Trends in hospital admissions for pulmonary embolism in England: 1996/7 to 2005/6

Abstract: Pulmonary embolism (PE) can be difficult to diagnose and manage. This paper examines recent national trends in admission rates and mortality for PE to help inform clinical practice. Admissions to NHS hospitals in England between 1 April 1996 and 31 March 2006 were studied. Trends in admission rates, the proportion of all admissions with PE as primary or secondary diagnosis and hospital mortality following PE identified. There were 251,449 admissions with a diagnosis of pulmonary embolus in the study period. Non-elective admission rates rose from 28.0 per 100,000 in 1996/7 to 32.1 per 100,000 in 2005/6. There was a significant increase in secondary diagnosis rates and a clear seasonal pattern with excess admissions in winter. There was significant in-hospital mortality for both primary (13%) and secondary diagnosis (31%). Mortality decreased over time and was highest among the elderly. Pulmonary embolism is associated with a significant mortality although overall trends in mortality are improving in England. Age and comorbidities must be considered when developing guidelines and individual treatment plans.

A guide to the acute medical unit

Abstract: Acute medicine is the fastest growing medical speciality in the UK and acute medical units, which provide the best possible care for acutely unwell medical patients, are increasingly common.

Telephone triage in out of hours call centres

Abstract: Concerns about quality and safety highlight the need for further evaluation Telephone triage, both for in hours and out of hours consultations, has increased dramatically in recent years, and in many respects this is welcome. Telephone consulting can improve access to care for many patients,1 and out of hours care provided by call centres in particular can improve the efficiency of healthcare provision.2 Several unanswered questions remain, however, with respect to the quality and safety of such clinical encounters because of the relative paucity of evidence on this mode of consulting.3 The linked study by Derkx and colleagues (doi: 10.1136/bmj.a1264) highlights the potential shortcomings of telephone based consultations in the context of out of hours triage of patients in the Netherlands.4 Strengths of the study include a carefully considered sampling strategy of call centres and the use of standardised clinical encounters using simulated patients. Out of hours consultations are …

When ascites is not ascites.

Abstract: The case is reported of a patient presenting with ascites and acute renal failure resulting from spontaneous rupture of the urinary bladder, 30 years after the successful initial treatment of childhood rhabdomyosarcoma. The delay in the presentation until the patient began to experience the symptoms due to urinary ascites, the diagnostic dilemma because of the rarity of the condition, and the possible aetiologies are discussed.