507 A Powerful Proforma: Improving Regional Urology Patient’s Information Sharing Between NHS Trusts
M Prayle, A Thompson- Surgery
Abstract
Aim
Two Urology Departments work symbiotically to provide service provision across their local region by hosing ‘hot weekends’. On alternating weekends, all urological patients attending the ‘parent A&E’ are transferred to the ‘sister hospital’ for treatment. This QIP aimed to improve the data sharing of these transferred patients post discharge to ensure efficient patient follow-up at the ‘parent hospital’.
Method
Cycle 1 reviewed the current quality of information sharing utilising freestyle emails versus a newly created proforma to prompt doctors to share key urological specific data (Cycle 2). The content, quality, and evidence of information shared was compared. The cycles reviewed 17 and 15 patients respectively over 16 weekends.
Results
There was no documentation of emails sent during cycle 1 within the patient’s notes compared to cycle 2 where 100% of patients had a proforma within an 'electronic drive' in addition to 94% within patient’s notes; a 194% improvement. 48% more patients had a 'diagnosis' documented on the proformas. 56% of emails contained relevant blood results compared to 90% within the proformas and 83% of the emails contained radiological imaging results versus 100% on the proformas (40% vs. 75% contained the original report respectively). The proforma improved ‘suggested follow-ups’ by 32% and overall, the parent site consultants voted ‘very satisfied’ with the proforma compared to emails.
Conclusions
The development of a proforma created sustainable positive change for urological follow-ups on a regional level by helping doctors easily share standardised data and follow-up requests.