Audit of attendance rates for an infra-inguinal graft surveillance programme--how complete is your graft surveillance?
Much has been written on the subject of graft surveillance following infra-inguinal bypass graft surgery, but surprisingly little information exists on actual attendance rates for such programmes. The aim of this study was to calculate the attendance rate for graft surveillance at the vascular unit in Cheltenham. All patients who entered the graft surveillance programme following an infra-inguinal graft procedure over a 5-year period were included in the study. Partial and complete surveillance attendance rates were calculated for each year in the study period. Both rates were seen to rise over the 5-year period, from 31% to 78% and 0 to 38%, respectively. These attendance rates were much lower than were expected. Vascular units relying on such graft surveillance programmes should evaluate their own 'surveillance rates'.
McIntosh
J
J
Department of Surgery, Bristol Royal Infirmary, UK.
Crook
T J
TJ
Poskitt
K R
KR
Whyman
M R
MR
D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008485:Medical Audit; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014654:Vascular Patency