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A multi-centre audit of epistaxis management in England: is there a case for a national review of practice?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 March 2015

A C Hall
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Northwick Park Hospital, London, UK
H Blanchford
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
P Chatrath
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Queen's Hospital, Romford, UK Department of Otolaryngology, Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
C Hopkins*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Miss Claire Hopkins, Department of Otolaryngology, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK Fax: 0207 188 2212 E-mail: clairehopkins@yahoo.com

Abstract

Objective:

The ENT-UK Clinical Audit and Practice Advisory Group initiated a pilot audit to investigate variance in epistaxis management between six units nationwide.

Method:

All patients with a diagnosis of epistaxis who were admitted for in-patient care at six ENT departments between November 2011 and February 2012 were prospectively enrolled.

Results:

A total of 166 patients were included in the study. Variance was demonstrated between the six units in a number of the key outcome areas. Twenty-eight per cent of patients were identified as eligible for operative intervention for epistaxis in one unit, compared with only 12.5 per cent in another.

Conclusion:

There are measurable, patient-relevant outcomes to assess epistaxis management and these can highlight areas of potential improvement. This pilot audit gives a snapshot of modern practice, which shows variance between the six units assessed. A national audit may allow us to improve patient experience and maximise efficiency in delivering emergency care in our most common patient encounter.

Type
Main Articles
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2015 

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References

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