Analysis of the outcomes of a visiting surgical service to small rural communities.
BACKGROUND
A team of visiting surgeons has provided regular clinics and day surgery to rural locations in country towns away from resident surgical centres. This format has provided continuity of care for 7 years despite a constantly changing medical workforce. The aim of the present study was to review the results of the group and to compare them against national standards and to provide a model for future outreach programmes.


METHODS
All patient diagnoses, procedures and clinical outcomes were recorded prospectively. This record of activity was then collated. District hospital records and clinical notes have been rechecked for complications over a discrete 4 year period.


RESULTS
There have been 7419 items of service provided, including 2676 procedures. The diagnostic grouping and subsequent day-surgery activity are consistent with the top 30 surgical separations from all Australian hospitals. These patients have been found suitable to remain in their own home environment for treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Experienced surgeons operating on selected patients with careful nursing care, in small country hospitals have outcomes similar to urban hospitals.
Hughes-Anderson
Wayne
W
Rural Surgical Services, University Department of Surgery, QE II Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia. akhouse@cyllene.uwa.edu.au
House
Jill
J
Aitken
Robert J
RJ
Rankin
Sarah L
SL
House
Anthony K
AK
D006780:Hospitals, Rural; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019035:Rural Health Services; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014904:Western Australia