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

The ENT-UK Clinical Audit and Practice Advisory Group initiated a pilot audit to investigate variance in epistaxis management between six units nationwide. All patients with a diagnosis of epistaxis who were admitted for in-patient care at six ENT departments between November 2011 and February 2012...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of laryngology and otology 2015-05, Vol.129 (5), p.454-457
Main Authors: Hall, A C, Blanchford, H, Chatrath, P, Hopkins, C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Anticoagulants
Audits
Data collection
Departments
Disease Management
Emergency medical care
England
Epistaxis
Epistaxis - therapy
Hospital Departments - standards
Hospital Departments - statistics & numerical data
Hospitalization
Hospitals
Humans
Hypertension
Main Articles
Medical Audit - statistics & numerical data
Middle Aged
Otolaryngology
Packaging
Patients
Pilot Projects
Prospective Studies
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Summary:The ENT-UK Clinical Audit and Practice Advisory Group initiated a pilot audit to investigate variance in epistaxis management between six units nationwide. 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. 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. 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.
ISSN:0022-2151
1748-5460
DOI:10.1017/S0022215115000596