Cardiology referrals before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a health service evaluation
British Journal of Cardiac Nursing
; 16(7):1-6, 2021.
Article
Dans Anglais
| ProQuest Central | ID: covidwho-1726856
ABSTRACT
Background/Aims The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented changes to healthcare services. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on referrals to cardiology services in a tertiary hospital. Methods Royal Stoke University Hospital has a cardiac assessment nurse team that provides rapid access to specialist cardiology opinion. All referrals are recorded on a database, which was used to determine how COVID-19 affected the number and types of referrals to cardiology during March–September 2019 and March–September 2020. Results A total of 12 447 referrals were made to the cardiac assessment nurse teams over the evaluation period. Compared to the average number of referrals across all months, there was a decline of 10.5%, 31.2% and 18.5% during March, April and May 2019 respectively. Comparing 2020 to 2019, there were more 999 calls (17.7% vs 15.7%) and accident and emergency referrals (46.5% vs 45.0%), and fewer interhospital referrals (16.0% vs 19.6%). In terms of advice provided for the 999 referrals, a greater number were advised to go to the accident and emergency department (10.5% vs 0%) and direct phone advice provided to those in other settings increased (11.7% vs 0.1%) in 2020. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a reduction in the number of overall referrals to cardiology, while also demonstrating a shift towards more advice to attend the accident and emergency department for assessment or direct phone advice being provided about management in the community.
Texte intégral:
Disponible
Collection:
Bases de données des oragnisations internationales
Base de données:
ProQuest Central
Type d'étude:
Études expérimentales
langue:
Anglais
Revue:
British Journal of Cardiac Nursing
Année:
2021
Type de document:
Article
Documents relatifs à ce sujet
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS