Conference Abstract › Manchester University Medics Paediatrics Society (MUMPS) Conference, October 2015, UK › Audit: Pediatric 5 minute same day GP appointment

Audit: Pediatric 5 minute same day GP appointment

Lim ELP*, Lokanathan P.**
Marple Cottage Surgery, Marple, Stockport, UK.*, Marple Cottage Surgery, Marple, Stockport, UK.**

Background

General practice tends to be the first port of call for parents when a child becomes unwell. However, the challenges encountered by parents requesting for a same day appointment is also increasingly recognised. Consequently, we observe rising numbers of unnecessary paediatric A&E attendees and hence a significant impact towards our current budget within the NHS.

Aim

To examine the benefits of implementing a five minute same day appointment for children in a general practice.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed to identify the 5 minute same day appointments for children. An electronic database was used to obtain details of the diagnosis, duration of consultation, outcomes and any subsequent outcomes.

Results

During the 4 month audit period, 190 children aged between 22 weeks to 17 years were included. A majority presented with respiratory problems followed by dermatology and ENT cases. 121 (64%) children were seen within the 5 minutes target, 53 (28%) for 6-10 minutes and 16 (8%) for more than 10 minutes. The outcomes demonstrated 121 (64%) children were given advice only, 52 (27%) were prescribed medications, 6 (3%) required a paediatric referral, 5 (3%) for a follow-up appointment, 4 (2%) for further investigations and one (1%) was referred directly to A&E. Subsequently 18 patients returned for a further follow-up, 9 proceeded with unplanned out of hours, 5 attended A&E while 1 required hospital admission. Individual case notes revealed 4 (45%) out of hours attendees, 2 (40%) A&E attendees and the one (100%) requiring hospital admission received advice only.

Conclusion

The implementation of the 5 minute same day paediatric appointment in a general practice setting is seen to reduce unnecessary A&E attendances and effectively increase number of patients consulted. The assessment of an acutely ill child can safely be performed in the community setting before requiring hospital input.

How to Cite URL :

ELP L, P. L.. Available From : http://www.pediatriconcall.com/conference/abstract/35/view/843

Audit: Pediatric 5 minute same day GP appointment

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