Patients with neck lumps: can they be managed in a 'one-stop' clinic setting?
The present government has stated its intentions to expand the application of "one-stop" assessments for out-patients. To decide if this is an appropriate strategy for managing patients with neck lumps, we prospectively assessed 110 patients referred to the Neck Lump Clinic of the Otolaryngology Department of a teaching hospital. Patients were assessed clinically and with immediately reported fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). The accuracy of immediately reported FNAC was later compared with a final report and histology, when available. A "one-stop" visit was defined as patients who were discharged, or placed on a waiting list, after a single consultation. Eight-three (76%) patients did not have to return to the outpatient department, of which 59 (54%) were discharged. No changes occurred from immediate to final FNAC reports. If certain criteria are met, patients with neck lumps can be successfully managed in a "one-stop" setting.
Murray
A
A
Departments of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and Cytopathology, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK.
Stewart
C J
CJ
McGarry
G W
GW
MacKenzie
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D006113:United Kingdom