BACKGROUND: The 18-week target to treatment government initiative was implemented in 2004. In order for this to work, patients need to accept operative dates provided, otherwise the pathway will fail. AIM: The aim of this prospective study was to identify the earliest time patients would accept surgical intervention following assessment at an outpatient clinic and to identify the reasons why some patients would choose to delay surgery. METHODS: This prospective study was carried out at an elective orthopaedic centre over a 5-month period. All new adult referrals to the department were asked to complete a seven-point questionnaire on waiting time preference and possible reasons for delaying surgery. No paediatric or spinal orthopaedics was carried out at the centre. RESULTS: A total of 73 % of the 797 questionnaires were completed. Up to 16 % of patients could not accept day-case/inpatient operation within 6 weeks. Work commitment was the most common reason for choosing to delay surgery, with nearly 50 % of employed patients citing it as a reason. No significant difference was identified between inpatient and day-case procedures. CONCLUSION: There is a risk that operative slots will be unfilled within the 18-week pathway. 18 % of patients will potentially refuse an operative date offered within 6 weeks of their outpatient visit. Work, holidays and care arrangements are important in uptake. A proactive strategy to improve the uptake of offered surgery is required to prevent operating slots being underutilised.
BACKGROUND: The 18-week target to treatment government initiative was implemented in 2004. In order for this to work, patients need to accept operative dates provided, otherwise the pathway will fail. AIM: The aim of this prospective study was to identify the earliest time patients would accept surgical intervention following assessment at an outpatient clinic and to identify the reasons why some patients would choose to delay surgery. METHODS: This prospective study was carried out at an elective orthopaedic centre over a 5-month period. All new adult referrals to the department were asked to complete a seven-point questionnaire on waiting time preference and possible reasons for delaying surgery. No paediatric or spinal orthopaedics was carried out at the centre. RESULTS: A total of 73 % of the 797 questionnaires were completed. Up to 16 % of patients could not accept day-case/inpatient operation within 6 weeks. Work commitment was the most common reason for choosing to delay surgery, with nearly 50 % of employed patients citing it as a reason. No significant difference was identified between inpatient and day-case procedures. CONCLUSION: There is a risk that operative slots will be unfilled within the 18-week pathway. 18 % of patients will potentially refuse an operative date offered within 6 weeks of their outpatient visit. Work, holidays and care arrangements are important in uptake. A proactive strategy to improve the uptake of offered surgery is required to prevent operating slots being underutilised.
Authors: Sofia Löfvendahl; Ingemar Eckerlund; Helen Hansagi; Bengt Malmqvist; Sylvia Resch; Marianne Hanning Journal: Int J Qual Health Care Date: 2005-01-21 Impact factor: 2.038
Authors: Hyun Sik Gong; Goo Hyun Baek; Joo Han Oh; Young Ho Lee; Suk Ha Jeon; Moon Sang Chung Journal: J Bone Joint Surg Am Date: 2009-09 Impact factor: 5.284
Authors: Einar Hovlid; Oddbjørn Bukve; Kjell Haug; Aslak Bjarne Aslaksen; Christian von Plessen Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2012-06-11 Impact factor: 2.655
Authors: Jurriaan P Oudhoff; Danielle R M Timmermans; Martin Rietberg; Dirk L Knol; Gerrit van der Wal Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2007-02-28 Impact factor: 2.655