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[Audit of the management of postoperative pain].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and severity of postoperative pain in patients undergoing operations in various surgery clinics in the Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP) and to evaluate management of pain during the 24 hours following surgery. METHODS: Data from surgical and anesthesia observation sheets and from patient complaints collected in a one-day external audit were obtained for 96 surgery clinics in the AP-HP. RESULTS: At the time of surgery, most patients were receiving opioids, especially fentanyl: low dose ( < 1 microgram/kg/h) was given in 17.1% of the patients and regional anesthesia was used in 13%. In 95% of the cases, postoperative orders were written by anesthesiologists. Initial orders were modified according to patient response in 11.8% of the cases. "On demand" prescriptions were used in 10% of the orders. Patient controlled analgesia and regional analgesia were not routine techniques (2 and 0% respectively). Finally, 37.8% of the patients were given a single prescription of a step-1 drug (e.g. propacetamol i.v.), 25.9% a step-2 drug either alone or in combination with a step-1 drug, and 28.9% of the patients were given strong opioids at least once. CONCLUSIONS: For all types of drugs, dosage level was considered as correct in 86.5% of the cases. For approximately 10% of the opioid prescriptions, an ineffective dose was used. The interval between doses was too long in 54.1% of the prescriptions for at least one drug (e.g. for peripheral analgesia with propacetamol). The incidence of severe pain was 46.4%, especially after abdominal, high urologic and back surgery.

Analgesia↗

Cooperation between general practitioners and diabetologists and clinical audit improve the management of type 2 diabetic patients.

A programme was set up in the Essonne (France) between 1994 and 1998 to improve the quality of care for Type 2 diabetic patients. A consensus panel of general practitioners and diabetes specialists established guidelines based on the French St. Vincent recommendations. An audit involving 73 volunteer general practitioners (out of 965 in the Essonne) then evaluated compliance with these guidelines. Care and outcome were assessed in 505 (1995) and 604 (1996) Type 2 diabetic patients. The first audit cycle showed that defined standards were not met for several criteria and also revealed a lack of standardisation of HbA1c measurements and delayed intervention when blood glucose control was inadequate. Corrective measures were adopted: cooperative protocols for foot care, prevention of nephropathy and retinopathy, standardisation of HbA1c, and an educational programme at the primary health care level. The second audit cycle showed improvement in foot care (+33.6%), quality (+39.9%), prescription of HbA1c (+11.9%), and control of blood pressure (+11.9%) and blood lipids (+12.8%). The proportion of early interventions in case of inadequate glucose control increased significantly (+10.5%). However, some gaps persisted, mainly regarding screening for complications, diet counselling and patient education. This study shows that cooperation between general practitioners and diabetes specialists is feasible and effective in the context of a district-wide approach, and that it facilitates the adoption of international guidelines by local physicians. A project has been developed to provide structured diabetes care in general practice and better access to specialist services in order to improve the outcome of Type 2 diabetic patients.

Blood Glucose↗

A therapeutic audit in the management of hypertension in Nigerians.

The prevalence of hypertension in adult Nigerians is about 20% and hypertension remains a significant risk factor in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In Africans, hypertension carries a dismal prognosis, has a late clinical presentation and certain antihypertensives may be less effective. We therefore conducted a therapeutic audit in order to assess the initial cardiovascular risk profile of Nigerian patients as well as the safety and efficacy of different antihypertensive agents. A cross-sectional survey of 367 patients (M:F:2:1) modal age 25-44 years, mostly WHO II, enrolled in our clinic was undertaken. 56% had been on treatment for up to one year and 2% for longer than ten years. 12.5% had concomitant diabetes mellitus. Statistical analyses of drug efficacy were done by Spearman correlation and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The rank order of hypertensive efficacy was as follows: Thiazides (T) (r = 0.57, P less than 0.05), T + Methyldopa (M) (r = 0.91, P less than 0.001) T + M + Hydralazine (r = 0.92, P less than 0.001). Neither propranolol, nor frusemide showed significant overall efficacy. However, propranolol appeared efficacious in hypertensives with renal impairment. Postural dizziness was occasionally reported. Total mortality was 6% occurring mostly in the modal age group. Diabetic hypertensives had a 5 fold enhanced risk of a fatal outcome (X2 P less than 0.001). Our findings support a rational stepped care approach to pharmacotherapy of hypertension in black Africans, a cost-effectiveness analysis of common antihypertensives; it elucidates the associated adverse effects to patients, and draws attention to the lethality of concomitant hypertension and diabetes. Prospective large scale studies of the treatment of hypertension in Africans are required.

Adult↗

Population-based audit of colorectal cancer management in two UK health regions. Colorectal Cancer Working Group, Royal College of Surgeons of England Clinical Epidemiology and Audit Unit.

BACKGROUND: To obtain information on the contemporary management of colorectal cancer in the UK to assist in the development of management guidelines, an independent, 1-year population audit was carried out in Trent Region and Wales. METHODS: Data were collected on all patients admitted to hospital with a new diagnosis of colorectal cancer in a 1-year period. RESULTS: Of 3520 patients, 3221 (91.5 per cent) had surgery. Emergency/urgent operations were carried out as the first procedure in 552 (17.1 per cent). Resection of the primary disease was achieved in 2859 (81.2 per cent) and this was deemed curative in 2070 (58.8 per cent). Twenty-one per cent of all patients had metastatic disease at presentation. Overall, 30-day operative mortality was 7.6 per cent (21.7 per cent for emergency/urgent and 5.5 per cent for scheduled/elective procedures). Anastomotic dehiscence occurred in 105 patients (4.9 per cent); this was 3.9 per cent after colonic resections and 7.9 per cent after anterior rectal resections. Elective rectal excision resulted in a permanent stoma in 486 of 1054 patients (46 per cent). CONCLUSION: This initial report from a comprehensive, independent audit of colorectal cancer management shows improvement in some aspects of treatment as evidenced by improved anastomotic dehiscence and stoma rates when compared with previous studies. However, there has been little improvement in the proportion of patients presenting with advanced disease, and curative resection rates remain low.

Colonic Neoplasms↗

The impact of extracorporeal piezoelectric lithotripsy on the management of ureteric calculi: an audit.

The presentation and management of 153 patients with ureteric calculi requiring active treatment over a 12-month period were reviewed; 74% of patients had primary ureteric calculi and 26% had ureteric calculi composed of fragments resulting from extracorporeal piezoelectric shockwave lithotripsy (EPL) to renal calculi; 32 patients (21%) had more than 1 calculus or a steinstrasse. The primary procedures included were in situ EPL (n = 54), push-bang (44), retrograde ureteroscopy (40), Dormia basket extraction (6), push-pull (1), antegrade ureteroscopy (1) and combinations of these (7). The success of the primary procedure could not be predicted from stone size, site or duration in the ureter, but upper tract dilatation was significantly less (p less than 0.01) in the successful group. The overall success rate for complete stone extraction was 97%, but 54 patients (35%) required more than 1 procedure to achieve this. In situ EPL and push-bang, as either primary or secondary procedures, were successful in treating 79 patients (52%); 2 patients required ureterolithotomy (1.3%). The overall complication rate was 18%. Since EPL is only successful in treating approximately half of ureteric calculi, a range of other treatments should be available to maintain a low rate of open surgery.

Adolescent↗

A ten year audit of the management of cancers of the larynx and pharynx.

The Chief Medical Officers' expert advisory group (The Calman Hine report (1994) for the commissioning of cancer services suggested that services in the district general hospitals (DGH) should be called 'cancer units' and that such units should be closely linked to 'cancer centres'. The objective of these proposals would be to improve the quality of care to cancer patients. The report also acknowledges that these proposals are based on an inadequate understanding of the epidemiology of cancer within England and Wales and the way in which current configuration of services affects outcome. The authors make a plea for better documentation and recording of treatment and outcomes (i.e. audit) to fill this gap. Registration in cancer registries is of limited value in assessment of outcomes of care owing to lack of detail. This paper describes an audit of head and neck cancer in one department and attempts to define which patients might benefit from referral from the cancer units to the 'centres', and conversely, which patients would be better managed in the cancer units. If all patients with cancer of the head and neck were referred, the service in the cancer centres would be overwhelmed. Some system of triage will therefore be essential.

Aged↗

Use of measurement audit in outcomes management.

With the growing emphasis on accountability in mental health services, outcomes management strategies are gaining popularity. However, for these techniques to be credible, it is necessary to ensure the reliability of clinical data. In other words, outcomes measures must accurately reflect the actual status of service recipients. This article presents the use of the measurement audit as one means of monitoring and improving the reliability of outcomes measurements. The methods and findings from an audit of crisis assessment workers for children in state custody are presented. Clinical assessments completed at the time of service were compared with assessments using the same measure completed via retrospective file review. Findings suggest generally good reliability, 0.72 overall, with some variation by provider and type of information.

Child↗

Accelerating the audit cycle: data gathering, analysis and dissemination of results by electronic methods. The third Yorkshire audit of genital chlamydial management.

An electronic database was used as an audit tool by a peripatetic audit or to collect data on the management of genital chlamydial infection from genitourinary medicine clinics. A paper proforma was used to obtain data on clinic facilities. The database generated pre-specified quantitative reports for comparison to national standards and guidelines, as well as comparison of performance between clinics and to a previous regional audit. Feedback and discussion took place to identify interventions intended to improve practice. This methodology allowed for rapid dissemination of the audit findings to clinics.

Adult↗

An audit of the management of malignant hypercalcaemia.

A protocol was designed to help junior doctors to manage patients with malignant hypercalcaemia (MH). Seventy-five patients received 30 mg, 60 mg or 90 mg doses of pamidronate, depending on their initial serum calcium level. Fifty-four (72%) patients achieved normocalcaemia (NC) within 5 days after a single infusion of pamidronate. A further ten (13%) patients reached NC after a second dose, and 11 (15%) remained hypercalcaemic until death. NC was maintained for a median duration of 24 days. Patients received, on average, 30 mg less pamidronate than that given in the manufacturer's dosing schedule. The protocol was considered effective, economical and practical in the routine management of MH.

Adult↗

The National Prostatectomy Audit: the clinical management of patients during hospital admission.

OBJECTIVE: To determine everyday practice in the hospital management of men undergoing prostatectomy and the extent of its variation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 5361 patients, who represented 89% of all those undergoing prostatic procedures in four health regions (Mersey, Wessex, Northern and South West Thames) and one test site (within Trent) were recruited by 103 (97%) surgeons. Clinical information was collected on a pre-coded data collection form which was completed during the hospital stay by the principal operator. Patient identification occurred at the time of surgery. RESULTS: Important findings included: (i) both older men and those of higher social class were more likely to undergo prostatectomy with fewer symptoms; (ii) men who waited longer for surgery had worse symptoms by the time of their operation; (iii) there were unexplained differences in routine pre- and post-operative investigation and treatment. Half the men had their flow rate or residual urine measured as part of their pre-operative assessment. About half the men received prophylactic antibiotics; (iv) when large groups were analysed, a consistent proportion of men throughout the study (12%) were undergoing the operation for a second time. The clinical course of men having a repeat operation differed in many ways from those having a first time procedure; (v) the larger proportion of men (62%) had surgery for strong indications as opposed to symptoms alone; (vi) although most operations were performed by consultants, emergency admissions, though symptomatically more severe and sicker, were more likely to be operated on by trainee surgeons; (vii) significant variation in mean pre-operative symptom severity and bother scores were seen between surgeons. CONCLUSION: The clinical management of prostatectomy has been defined in a large and representative UK sample. In some circumstances consistent variations have been identified. It is not yet clear whether these variations influence outcome. These data can be used by surgeons wishing to compare their own patient management with that described here.

Age Factors↗

Audit of head injury management in Accident and Emergency at two hospitals: implications for NICE CT guidelines.

BACKGROUND: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has produced guidelines on the early management of head injury. This study audits the process of the management of patients with head injury presenting at Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments and examines the impact upon resources of introducing NICE guidelines for eligibility of a CT scan. METHODS: A retrospective audit of consecutive patients of any age, presenting at A&E with a complaint of head injury during one month in two northern District General Hospitals forming part of a single NHS Trust. RESULTS: 419 patients presented with a median age of 15.5 years, and 61% were male. 58% had a Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) recorded and 33 (8%) were admitted. Only four of the ten indicators for a CT scan were routinely assessed, but data were complete for only one (age), and largely absent for another (vomiting). Using just three (incomplete) indicators showed a likely 4 fold increase in the need for a CT scan. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients who present with a head injury to Accident and Emergency departments are discharged home. Current assessment processes and associated data collection routines do not provide the information necessary to implement NICE guidelines for CT brain scans. The development of such clinical audit systems in a busy A&E department is likely to require considerable investment in technology and/or staff. The resource implications for radiology are likely to be substantial.

Adolescent↗

Audit of clinical management of von Willebrand disease during 1997 at a single institution and review of treatment patterns between 1980 and 1997.

In 1997 the UK Haemophilia Centre Directors Organization published the guidelines for diagnosis and management of von Willebrand disease (vWD). The guidelines stated that desmopressin (DDAVP) should be used in type 1 and type 2N vWD, that it might be useful in other types 2 vWD and that it is ineffective in type 3 vWD. If patients are unresponsive to DDAVP or if it is contraindicated, the treatment of choice is clotting factor concentrates (CFC). In the light of these guidelines, we audited our practice for 1997. Furthermore, we undertook a retrospective review of the changing patterns of treatment of vWD between 1980 and 1997. During 1997, 10 patients with vWD received DDAVP and another 30 patients were treated with CFC (a total of 1.2 million IU): Haemate P (Centeon, Germany) and/or 8Y (BPL, Elstree, UK). Few patients had clear contraindications to DDAVP, but several patients with type 1 and 2 vWD received CFC on the basis of age or reduced levels of von Willebrand factor - where DDAVP was considered suboptimal for adequate haemostasis. However, this assumption was made without a preliminary test dose to assess the response to DDAVP. The analysis of treatment of vWD for the past 17 years showed that cryoprecipitate was discontinued from use in the early 1990s and that both DDAVP and CFC usage has been on the increase. In conclusion, the audit illustrated a general good adherence to guidelines but it highlighted the need for a DDAVP test before using CFC.

Blood Coagulation Factors↗