OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of the fourteen-day rule on the colorectal service of a district general hospital. METHODS: Prospective audit of all patients referred by general practitioners to the colorectal service of a district general hospital serving a population of approximately 300,000 people. The main outcome measures were: (i) mean interval in days from referral to first clinic appointment; (ii) first clinic appointment to diagnosis; and (iii) overall interval from referral to diagnosis. RESULTS: There was a change in the referral pattern with greater numbers of 'fourteen-day rule' and urgent referrals than expected (P < 0.001). The mean time interval from referral to diagnosis was reduced (P < 0.01). This was due to a reduction in the wait for a first clinic appointment (P < 0.01). The wait between first appointment and diagnosis was unchanged (P < 0.05). Waiting times for patients referred as 'routine' or whose GPs did not specify a priority also improved. CONCLUSIONS: The 'fourteen-day rule' with respect to colorectal cancer has reduced waiting times for a first appointment to see a specialist. Further improvements will require additional resources to reduce the delay for investigations. The effect on long-term survival remains to be seen.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of the fourteen-day rule on the colorectal service of a district general hospital. METHODS: Prospective audit of all patients referred by general practitioners to the colorectal service of a district general hospital serving a population of approximately 300,000 people. The main outcome measures were: (i) mean interval in days from referral to first clinic appointment; (ii) first clinic appointment to diagnosis; and (iii) overall interval from referral to diagnosis. RESULTS: There was a change in the referral pattern with greater numbers of 'fourteen-day rule' and urgent referrals than expected (P < 0.001). The mean time interval from referral to diagnosis was reduced (P < 0.01). This was due to a reduction in the wait for a first clinic appointment (P < 0.01). The wait between first appointment and diagnosis was unchanged (P < 0.05). Waiting times for patients referred as 'routine' or whose GPs did not specify a priority also improved. CONCLUSIONS: The 'fourteen-day rule' with respect to colorectal cancer has reduced waiting times for a first appointment to see a specialist. Further improvements will require additional resources to reduce the delay for investigations. The effect on long-term survival remains to be seen.
Authors: Richard D Neal; Victoria L Allgar; Nasreen Ali; Brenda Leese; Phil Heywood; Gill Proctor; Joyce Evans Journal: Br J Gen Pract Date: 2007-03 Impact factor: 5.386
Authors: Zeta Chow; Patrick Osterhaus; Bin Huang; Quan Chen; Nancy Schoenberg; Mark Dignan; B Mark Evers; Avinash Bhakta Journal: J Surg Res Date: 2020-10-20 Impact factor: 2.192