Feasibility of pre-admission nurse clerking of patients with vascular disease

• Published in: Journal of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh Vol. 43; no. 4; p. 246
• Main Authors: Toogood, G J, Wilmott, K, Jones, L, Magee, T R, Galland, R B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Scotland 01-08-1998
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Feasibility Studies; Female; Humans; Male; Medical History Taking - methods; Medical History Taking - standards; Middle Aged; Nurse Clinicians; Patient Admission; Peripheral Vascular Diseases - surgery; Prospective Studies; Surgery Department, Hospital
• ISSN: 0035-8835

A prospective study has been undertaken to determine the feasibility of nurse-led pre-admission clerking of patients with vascular disease. A total of 249 of 300 patients with planned admissions attended the clinic; 91% of patients with varicose veins, 83% of patients about to undergo endovascular procedures and 24% of patients awaiting arterial reconstruction were seen in the clinic. Patients with arterial disease were significantly more likely to rely on other people to bring them to the clinic than those with varicose veins. As a result of their age and frailty and their presenting symptoms, patients with arterial disease are less likely to benefit from a pre-admission clinic than patients with either varicose veins or general surgical disorders.