Authors (including presenting author) :
Ng SL(1), Tse YB(1), Chan HK(1), Wong PY(1), Ng ATL(2)
Affiliation :
(1) Lithotripsy & Urodiagnostic Centre, Department of Surgery, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong West Cluster. (2) Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong West Cluster.
Introduction :
Population ageing has significant societal implications, including an increase in burden of healthcare services in Hong Kong. Patients with urological problems such as obstructive uropathy may require urethral catheterization or even in a worse scenario which require insertion of percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) catheter. According to the data from our Admission Ward that there were 2288 and 2527 patients admitted to QMH under Urology Team in 2023 and 2024 respectively. Approximately 13% (620 patients in total) of them presented with catheter related problems such as haematuria and dislodgement of PCN in 2023-2024. By expanded the ambulatory walk-in service in Urology Nurse Clinic, patients can contact us for any catheter related problems during office hour.
Objectives :
Enhance a win-win situation between patients and hospital by expanded ambulatory walk-in service at nurse clinic so as to (1) avoid unnecessary emergency admissions; (2) shorten patients’ journey; and (3) reduce hospital expenses.
Methodology :
Majority of patients with catheters are under the care of community nursing service (CNS). By collaboration with CNS and patient care-givers, any urological catheter-related problems can be directly referred to urology nurse clinic during office hour. CNS nursing staff or patient’s care-givers are required to contact us before attended our nurse clinic.
Result & Outcome :
There were 187 patients (accounted 23.2%) attended ambulatory walk-in service in 2023-2024 due to blockage of urethral catheter, loosen stitches of PCN catheter and decrease or no urine output from PCN catheter. Patients no need to wait at AED for hours. They can be discharged directly after medical or nursing intervention at nurse clinic. It can avoid unnecessary emergency admission and thus reduce hospital expenses. And, the most important, it can have a significant improvement on patient’s experience by shorten hospital journey. Conclusion Expanded ambulatory walk-in service at nurse clinic apparently can provide appropriate and effective healthcare services to patients in HA hospitals.
