Biomedical subjects

P Handy

Publications and source records attributed to P Handy.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

'I'm OK?' Evaluation of a new walk-in quick-check clinic.

Following concerns about asymptomatic people having to wait 2-3 weeks for a standard appointment for screening a new 'I'm OK?' drop-in, nurse-led clinic for the worried well was devised and evaluated after the first 21 weeks (509 patients). Without overt advertising the clinic has run to near capacity and has proved popular, with 98% stating that they would attend such a clinic in the future. The chlamydia detection rate was 9% in women and 4% in men, with one case of asymptomatic rectal gonorrhoea and two of HIV infection diagnosed allowing early treatment intervention. HIV testing was accepted by 94% of attendees and initial hepatitis B vaccination by 93% of homosexual/bisexual men. This approach deflects such routine cases, potentially allowing increased time at standard clinic sessions for those with clinical problems staffed by more experienced nurses and doctors. Its success has encouraged us to develop this concept as a cost-effective way of addressing 48-hour genitourinary medicine access.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Triage up front.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of a newly developed triage tool to provide urgent access to genitourinary medicine (GUM) for patients. To appraise its value in compiling statistics for patients attending the department without appointments or those telephoning for advice. METHOD: Retrospective evaluation of triage forms completed by healthcare professional (HCP). Randomly selected triage forms completed for 250 male and 250 female patients attending a GUM clinic over a 3 month period. RESULT: Patients attending or telephoning with acute symptoms such as ulceration or abdominal pain, or as a result of sexual assault were offered same day or next day appointments in 100% of cases. However, for untreated chlamydial infection, testicular pain, and male urethritis the success rate fell to between 54-86%. CONCLUSION: The new form is easy to complete and allows a more structured triage of patients. It provides a standardised template for staff employed in GUM triage and facilitates accurate documentation and data collection of this important activity. All targets are not being met and patient distress is not adequately addressed or recorded to help service planning. However, accountable standardised data can be collected, which is important in defining the extent of the service and provides useful information for commissioners.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Information-giving practice: an audit of patients attending a GUM clinic.

AIM: Patients are known to have difficulty assimilating information about diagnosis and treatment given verbally during consultations with healthcare professionals. Written information in the form of leaflets is often used to reinforce the message. The aim of this study was to audit the written and verbal information given to patients. METHOD: Questionnaires were given to patients attending the clinic for repeat treatments for genital warts. RESULTS: Female patients generally seemed more satisfied with the information they received than male patients. Overall, patients were more satisfied with verbal information than written information. CONCLUSION: Recommendations for changes to information-giving practice are described and plans for future audits to help improve the quality and content of information are outlined.

Condylomata Acuminata↗