2012 annual meeting & cardiothoracic forum - Society for ...

JOINT ANNUAL MEETING 2012 ABSTRACTS
049 Cardiothoracic Wound Clinic Audit of Patients Experience
Authors: P. Njoki; S. Datta; P.A. Gowland
Manchester Heart Centre, United Kingdom
Objective: This is a report of a survey conducted to explore whether an out patient
cardiothoracic wound clinic was an effective way to manage patients presenting with
Surgical Site Infection post cardiothoracic surgery. Background A cardiothoracic
wound clinic was set up to encourage early discharge, offer specialist outpatient
care, reduce readmission rates and facilitate timely readmission if appropriate. It
was envisaged that the provision of this service would enhance the quality of care
given and ensure cost effective and optimum use of beds. Effectiveness in relation
to readmission and early discharge had already been demonstrated by audit, but
how this service worked from the patients perspective had not so far been
established.
Methods: A patient satisfaction questionnaire was administered to 21 patients by
post or hand delivery after their clinic visit. Questions asked were about
themselves, the wound clinic, the staff, their treatment and overall rating of the care
provided. Findings Broad support for the staff and the wound clinic in this
Foundation Trust.
Conclusions: The clinic has provided a medium for timely discharge and ongoing
support. The use of an advanced Nurse Practitioner who is also a qualified non
medical prescriber and specialist in wound care, and a Staff Grade Doctor who has
an interest in wound care, has enabled a one stop approach and has now been
demonstrated to meet the needs of patients with complex wounds post cardiac
surgery, enabling them to go home but have ongoing support.
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