Can multiple sclerosis nurses help reduce non-elective admissions? Revisiting the question 2 years on from an analysis of a service delivery audit
Gale Metcalfe, Audrey Owen, Faye Simpson- Neurology (clinical)
- General Nursing
Background:
The results of a 2019/20 audit exploring the reasons for emergency hospital admissions among people with MS, identified urinary tract infections (UTIs) as a major reason. Consequently, the authors implemented several interventions with the aim of reducing non-elective admissions coded to UTI. This article disseminates whether the interventions implemented by the authors resulted in a reduction in non-elective UTI associated hospital admissions.
Methods:
The authors conducted a 12-month audit of non-elective admissions across two NHS Trusts, comparing and contrasting the data from the 2019/20 audit and national and local Hospital Episode Statistics.
Findings:
A reduction in non-elective admissions coded to UTI has significantly reduced across both sites, which is thought to be a consequence of the authors' proposed recommendations from the 2019/20 audit. Local data now identifies the main reasons for MS non-elective hospital admissions as respiratory issues and falls.
Conclusions:
Having raised awareness of the need to focus on improved bladder management, data now reveals further reduction in MS bladder and UTI related admissions. Further recommendations have been made, as there needs to be an increased focus on addressing improvements in both respiratory management and falls prevention.