Advantages of a single-stop vascular assessment clinic.
We have examined the impact of a single-stop vascular assessment clinic, incorporating a portable Toshiba SSA140 color flow Doppler, scanner, on patient pathways and throughput in a teaching hospital. Data were collected retrospectively from computer-held information for a 3-month period in a conventional vascular clinic and compared with data from the equivalent 3 months after establishment of a single-stop clinic. New and follow-up patient numbers, discharges, and outcome of each consultation were compared. The results showed that the establishment of a single-stop vascular assessment clinic with duplex Doppler ultrasound facilitated earlier diagnosis and instigation of treatment. It also indirectly reduced clinic numbers, allowing a greater proportion of new-to-old patients per session. It is more convenient and cost-effective for patients and hospitals.
Logan
A J
AJ
Cardiff Vascular Unit, University Hospital of Wales, Wales, UK. andrew.logan@ntlworld.com
Lane
F
F
D000368:Aged; D017050:Episode of Care; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014852:Wales / Q000453:epidemiology