Epilepsy clinic services, NICE guidelines and patient satisfaction--an audit.
OBJECTIVE
To audit the performance of the paediatric epilepsy services in a district general hospital based on NICE guidelines and parent satisfaction.


METHODS
retrospective audit.


METHODS
Paediatric epilepsy clinic in a district general hospital.


METHODS
Consecutive children (n=54) with epilepsy attending the paediatric epilepsy clinic over a 4-month period.


METHODS
Data from hospital notes was recorded in standardized study forms, which was subsequently entered into database and analysed independently. A parent/patient satisfaction survey was also conducted over the same period involving the same study population by sending out a postal questionnaire.


METHODS
NICE epilepsy audit criteria and patient/carer satisfaction measured using the standards published by Webb et al.


RESULTS
The results show that the service achieved almost all the key targets set out in the NICE guidelines but performed less well in the parent satisfaction survey.


CONCLUSIONS
This audit suggests that in addition to NICE guidelines, an evaluation of parent/patient satisfaction should form part of assessment of the quality of paediatric epilepsy service.
Chinthapalli
Ravindranath
R
Department of Paediatrics, The Great Western Hospital, Marlborough Road, Swindon SN3 6BB, Wiltshire, United Kingdom. ravi.chinthapalli@smnhst.nhs.uk
Serane
V Tiroumourougane
VT
Pill
Julie
J
Millard
Debbie
D
Batten
Don
D
Chinthapalli
Vamsi Krishna
VK
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010372:Pediatrics; D012189:Retrospective Studies