Audit of admissions to dermatology beds in Greater Manchester.
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.
Helbling
I
I
The Dermatology Centre, Hope Hospital, Salford, UK.
Muston
H L
HL
Ferguson
J E
JE
McKenna
M
M
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