Protocol driven assessment programme effectively shortens new case waiting time

Abstract

Introduction: The waiting time for new cases in endocrine clinic has been rising due to increasing demand. The average waiting time has increased to 26.3 ± 5.5 weeks in February 2012. To improve the situation, a protocol driven assessment (PDA) programme has been established and incorporated into the triage pathway starting from April 2012. Objectives: (1) To shorten the waiting time of new case at the Endocrine Clinic; and (2) to enhance efficient work flow of triage system and improve patient care. Methodology: Protocols for endocrine diseases including obesity, hyperprolactinaemia, hypercalcaemia, hypopituitarism and hypogonadism were developed. Patients referred for such conditions were triaged to the PDA programme in which history taking, assessments, investigations and early interventions were carried out according to the protocols set by an endocrine nurse and subsequently followed by endocrinologists. Results: 225 referrals were screened from May 2012 to December 2012. 64 patients were triaged to the programme. The referralto-nurse and referral-to-endocrinologist times for the programme were 5.9 ± 4.9 and 9.8 ± 5.3 weeks respectively. This showed a significant improvement when compared with their original referral-to-endocrinologist time (26.6 ± 5.7 weeks, p<0.05). Referral-to-endocrinologist time for patients not recruited into the programme also showed significant improvement (10.3 ± 9.0 vs. 26.2 ± 5.4 weeks, p< 0.05) and the PDA programme was one of the measures that contributed to this success. Early intervention has been initiated during the initial nursing assessment of the programme. 18 obese patients received prompt referrals to relevant allied health disciplines before assessments by specialists. Four patients, referred for hyperprolactinaemia, had normal serum prolactin level after re-checked by endocrine nurse under a controlled non-stressed condition. They could be discharged from clinic at the first specialist assessment. More urgent conditions, such as visual field defects and high blood pressure, had also been detected early in the nursing assessment stage and resulted in prompt treatment action. The establishment of PDA programme, conducted by an experienced nurse, not only shortens waiting time but also provides patients with a more streamlined, timely and efficient model of care.