title: Efficacy of a high-resolution consultation system in gastroenterology at an Andalusian hospital center.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  By high resolution consultation (HRC) we mean an ambulatory process of assistance fulfilled in a single day, by which treatment and diagnosis are established and recorded.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess to which extent patients with digestive conditions may benefit from a single consultation system.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive study of 179 first visit events, randomly selected as high-resolution consultations in gastroenterology. We discuss the percentage of patients who benefited from HRC and the complementary tests performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most common conditions included dyspepsia (16%), a family history of colon cancer (16%) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (16%). Seventy-nine (44%) of all first visits became HRCs and 80 (45%) required a diagnostic test (100% abdominal ultrasound) that was reviewed on the same day. Performing a test on the same day significantly increased the percentage of HRCs (57% vs. 34%, p < 0.002). GERD, dyspepsia, cholelithiasis and chronic liver disease were the subjects most commonly leading to HRC.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gastroenterology consultations may largely benefit from an HRC system with only organizational changes and no additional costs.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital de Montilla. Montilla, Córdoba, ESPAÑA.
authors.forename: José Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Zambrana-García
authors.affiliation: Unidad Docente MFyC Córdoba, Unidad Docente MFyC Córdoba, España.
authors.forename: María Isabel
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Montoro-Caba
authors.affiliation: LPGA-Médicos. Unidad de Digestivo, Hospital de Montilla, España.
authors.forename: Maite
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chicano-Gallardo
authors.affiliation: LPGA-Médicos. Unidad de Digestivo, Hospital de Montilla, España.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Monrobel-Lancho
authors.affiliation: Pérez de Luque.
authors.forename: Daniel Jesús
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Pérez-de-Luque
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, Hospital de Montilla. Montilla, Córdoba, ESPAÑA.
authors.forename: José Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Peña-Ojeda
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Críticos y Urgencias, Hospital de Montilla, España.
authors.forename: José Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Recio-Ramírez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004066:Digestive System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005762:Gastroenterology / Q000379:methods*; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D019114:Remote Consultation / Q000379:methods; D013030:Spain