Christine J Moffatt1, Debra C Doherty2, Peter J Franks2,3, Peter S Mortimer4. 1. 1 Division of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, Royal Derby Hospital, The University of Nottingham , Derby, United Kingdom . 2. 2 Centre for Research and Implementation of Clinical Practice , London, United Kingdom . 3. 3 Division of Nursing and Healthcare, Faculty of Medicine, University of Glasgow , Scotland, United Kingdom . 4. 4 St George's, University of London , London, United Kingdom .
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Chronic edema care is patchy and of variable quality internationally. This study was undertaken to develop and evaluate a system of care that would provide for patients within a geographical area of London (Wandsworth), United Kingdom. METHODS AND RESULTS: A prospective cohort design with intervention of a new service design following a 6-month baseline period. Patients were identified through health professionals. A stratified random sample was drawn from all patients and an implementation strategy developed. Clinical assessment combined with questionnaires evaluated clinical, patient, and health service outcomes at 6-month periods. In all, 312 patients were identified in community and acute services giving a crude ascertainment rate of 1.16 per 1000 population. The random sample of 107 was mostly female (82%) with mean (standard deviation) age of 72.9 (12.4) in men and 68.6 (15.0) years in women. Mean reductions in limb volume achieved statistical differences at 6-12 months after implementation (difference [d] = 115 mL, p = 0.0001). Incidence of cellulitis dropped from 41.5/100 patient years at baseline to zero at 6-12 months. Quality of life showed greatest improvements between baseline and 6 months postimplementation, the largest differences being in role physical (d = 32.7, p = 0.0001) and role emotion (d = 24.0, p < 0.0001). EuroQol increased following implementation by a mean score of 0.05 (p = 0.007). There was a reduction in 6 monthly healthcare costs from £50171 per 100 patients at baseline to £17618 between 6 and 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: This process of implementation improves health outcomes while reducing healthcare costs in patients with lymphedema.
BACKGROUND:Chronic edema care is patchy and of variable quality internationally. This study was undertaken to develop and evaluate a system of care that would provide for patients within a geographical area of London (Wandsworth), United Kingdom. METHODS AND RESULTS: A prospective cohort design with intervention of a new service design following a 6-month baseline period. Patients were identified through health professionals. A stratified random sample was drawn from all patients and an implementation strategy developed. Clinical assessment combined with questionnaires evaluated clinical, patient, and health service outcomes at 6-month periods. In all, 312 patients were identified in community and acute services giving a crude ascertainment rate of 1.16 per 1000 population. The random sample of 107 was mostly female (82%) with mean (standard deviation) age of 72.9 (12.4) in men and 68.6 (15.0) years in women. Mean reductions in limb volume achieved statistical differences at 6-12 months after implementation (difference [d] = 115 mL, p = 0.0001). Incidence of cellulitis dropped from 41.5/100 patient years at baseline to zero at 6-12 months. Quality of life showed greatest improvements between baseline and 6 months postimplementation, the largest differences being in role physical (d = 32.7, p = 0.0001) and role emotion (d = 24.0, p < 0.0001). EuroQol increased following implementation by a mean score of 0.05 (p = 0.007). There was a reduction in 6 monthly healthcare costs from £50171 per 100 patients at baseline to £17618 between 6 and 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: This process of implementation improves health outcomes while reducing healthcare costs in patients with lymphedema.
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Keywords:
care delivery; chronic edema; health outcomes; lymphedema; quality of life