title: Audit of admissions to dermatology beds in Greater Manchester.
abstract: We present the results of a prospective questionnaire-based audit of admissions to dermatology beds. We examined the admission practices of clinicians and the outcome in terms of benefit to patients. The majority of patients (90%) were admitted because of the severity of their skin disease but other contributing factors included: inability to cope (40%); need for further investigation or observation (33%); coexisting medical factors (17%); poor social support; transport and psychological factors. Most (87%) patients benefited from admission and the dermatology life quality index improved by 42%. We demonstrate that inpatient treatment is effective and improves patients' quality of life.
authors.affiliation: The Dermatology Centre, Hope Hospital, Salford, UK.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Helbling
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Muston
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Ferguson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McKenna
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003880:Dermatology / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014600:Utilization Review; D016526:Workload