Presentations 2020: OMFS

421 - Are the review patients seen in the oral medicine outpatient clinics subject to delayed review?

M Bassilious M Simms P Atkin
Presented by: Mena Bassilious
Cardiff Dental Hospital

Introduction Patients seen on the oral medicine clinic often have chronic conditions that need to be monitored. Patients may have potentially malignant conditions or be on immunosuppressive medication that needs review. Furthermore, patients may have acute exacerbations of non-sinister conditions and may require a change in medication or further advice to help manage their pain. Aims and objective The aim of this audit is to assess the number of patients who are not being reviewed at, or before, the requested time interval and if necessary, suggest changes to reduce the amount of delayed reviews. The target is for 100% of patients to be seen at or before the requested interval. Methodology This is a prospective audit assessing the first 100 review patients (n=100) who were scheduled to have an appointment on the oral medicine clinic from November to December 2019. Data was collected from the patients’ case notes using a data collection form on the day of their appointment or shortly after. The expected review interval was compared to the actual review interval. Delays were calculated in days from the date of the expected review. Results and discussion The average delay was 70 days and ranged from 1 to 880 days. 71% of patients were seen at or before their requested clinic date. Some changes were implemented after the previous audits, which proved successful. Further changes have been implemented following this audit cycle. Implemented changes If a patient calls to cancel, the reason will be recorded by the receptionist, alongside the date of the rearranged review appointment. Monthly, the registrar will confirm if these appointment dates are suitable for the patients’ condition and medication. If unsuitable, the appointments will be brought forwards. If a patient cancels on the day of their appointment, the new appointment will be immediately checked by the registrar on clinic as their file will be at hand.
Consent Statement: There are no details on individual patients reported within the abstract.

Poster