Leighton Hospital unveils CheshireÔÇÖs first Virtual Fracture Clinic
10 Jan 2018 11:07
FRACTURE patients are set to benefit from fewer hospital visits and shorter waiting times following the arrival of a new virtual clinic.
The innovative scheme, the first in Cheshire, has launched at Leighton Hospital and will improve care whilst cutting the number of times patients have to visit the hospital for an appointment.
Before the project started, all patients seen at the hospitalÔÇÖs Emergency Department with a fracture, suspected fracture or a soft-tissue injury would have been referred to the fracture clinic for an assessment.
However, as specific injuries heal without the need for medical intervention, this face-to-face appointment is not often needed.
The Virtual Fracture Clinic was developed by Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustÔÇÖs Orthopaedic department and IT team to streamline the process and ensure only those who need an appointment are given one.
When patients now attend Leighton HospitalÔÇÖs Emergency Department or the Minor Injuries Unit at NorthwichÔÇÖs Victoria Infirmary their injury is initially treated by immobilising it with an appropriate splint, plaster cast or sling.
Those who require orthopaedic review are then booked onto a Virtual Fracture Clinic rather than automatically attending a traditional one.
Here, x-rays and patient notes are reviewed ÔÇÿvirtuallyÔÇÖ by an Orthopaedic consultant and specialist nurses who decide the next step of their care.
An experienced orthopaedic nurse contacts each patient by phone to discuss the outcome of the review. Where needed, an orthopaedic fracture clinic appointment is arranged to ensure the patient is seen by the correct specialist, at the correct time interval from their injury and with any necessary further x-rays or imaging.
For simple fractures, specific advice is offered and information leaflets provided explaining the self-care of their injury. Patients are also given a contact number for the virtual clinic, which can be used if the patient or their family has any concerns.
Mr Nick Boyce Cam, Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon, said: ÔÇ£The Virtual Fracture Clinic allows us to assess the patient much sooner than was previously possible and ensure early on that they have the correct treatment.
ÔÇ£This is hugely beneficial for the patient and is more efficient as it frees up time for staff in the hospital. The Virtual Fracture Clinic also has the added benefit of cutting down on costs and so everyone is benefitting.ÔÇØ
It is expected that LeightonÔÇÖs Virtual Fracture Clinic will be able to assess up to 30 patients an hour and will be met with a similar success, leading to a 25-30% reduction in unnecessary outpatient attendances.
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Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeons David Miller and Nick Boyce Cam at the first Virtual Fracture Clinic
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