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. 2013 Apr 5;28(6):381–385. [Article in Spanish] doi: 10.1016/S0212-6567(01)70399-X

Análisis de un programa de derivación directa entre atención primaria y especializada en pacientes potencialmente quirúrgicos

Analysis of a programme of direct referral between primary and specialist care in potential surgery patients

A Arroyo a,*, J Andreu a, P García a, S Jover b, MA Arroyo b, A Fernández a, D Costa a, I Oliver a, H Hernández c, H Schwartz a, M Reillo c, R Calpena f, C Arenas g
PMCID: PMC7684138  PMID: 11602117

Abstract

Objective

To describe the results of a programme of direct referral of potential surgery patients between primary and specialist care, designed to lessen waiting-times.

Design

Prospective, longitudinal and descriptive study.

Setting

Health Area N.º 19 (Valencian Health Service): Surgery Service of Elche Hospital and 6 Health Centres.

Participants

Patients with pathologies that do not need special techniques for diagnosis except examination and who have a clear irrefutable indication of surgery without risk factors (ASA I-II).

Intervention

The referral protocol consists of: a) diagnosis of pathology and pre-operative study in primary care (PC); b) appointment made by phone for the surgery clinic at the hospital, where diagnosis and pre-operative study are confirmed; c) referral and operation in the unit of non-hospital major surgery (UCMA); d) monitoring post-operation by the home hospitalisation unit (HHU) or preferably by the health centre, and e) checkup at the surgery clinic.

Main measurements

The degree of agreement between PC and the specialist, assessment of the pre-operative study, and waiting time.

Results

86 patients were referred (average age, 35; 76% male) by 28 doctors. The most common pathologies were hernia (36%), pilonidal sinus (23.2%) and miscellaneous (32.5%). There was general agreement in diagnosis in 90.7% of cases. 89.5% of patients brought the proper pre-operative study. Mean waiting time between the primary care consultation in the different procedures and the first hospital consultation was 19 days; with 44 more days elapsing till the surgical operation. Conclusions. This new programme is effective and economic, in that there is «adequate referral» of patients, waiting time is reduced by over 7 months for pilonidal sinus and by over 2 years for hernia pathology, and the procedure can be used for a large number of patients, as the pathologies involved are very common.

Key words: Primary care, Referral, Specialist care, Surgery

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