BACKGROUND: Timeliness of response from referral to consultation is necessary to provide best standards of care to inpatients in the general hospital setting. AIMS: To measure the length of time from referral to consultation in a liaison psychiatry service, and improve service delivery by introducing guidelines for time to consultation. METHODS: Time to consultation was measured on all patients presenting to a liaison psychiatry consultation service over an initial 6-month period, with subsequent repeat measurement following the introduction of guidelines. RESULTS: There were significant reductions for time to consultation in the service for the second cycle of the audit (χ(2) = 43.84, P < 0.001), and targets based on international standards were achieved. CONCLUSIONS: Introduction of guidelines for time to consultation, may improve response times, leading to improved quality of service for inpatient consultation services.
BACKGROUND: Timeliness of response from referral to consultation is necessary to provide best standards of care to inpatients in the general hospital setting. AIMS: To measure the length of time from referral to consultation in a liaison psychiatry service, and improve service delivery by introducing guidelines for time to consultation. METHODS: Time to consultation was measured on all patients presenting to a liaison psychiatry consultation service over an initial 6-month period, with subsequent repeat measurement following the introduction of guidelines. RESULTS: There were significant reductions for time to consultation in the service for the second cycle of the audit (χ(2) = 43.84, P < 0.001), and targets based on international standards were achieved. CONCLUSIONS: Introduction of guidelines for time to consultation, may improve response times, leading to improved quality of service for inpatient consultation services.
Authors: A C Holmes; F K Judd; R Yeatman; J H Lloyd; J Dakis; F Cairns; M Kiang; L Kerr; J McKinnon Journal: Aust N Z J Psychiatry Date: 2001-04 Impact factor: 5.744