1 / 1

1. BACKGROUND

Candidate Number: M3226. Are service standards adhered to during initial consultations in an assisted conception unit (ACU)? . 1. BACKGROUND The number of couples undergoing in vitro fertilization and intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection has continued to rise since 1992. [2]

ollie
Download Presentation

1. BACKGROUND

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Candidate Number: M3226 Are service standards adhered to during initial consultations in an assisted conception unit (ACU)? 1. BACKGROUND The number of couples undergoing in vitro fertilization and intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection has continued to rise since 1992.[2] Increasing demand on an already stretched NHS could come at the price of a reduced quality of service. [1] 5. DISCUSSION Generally a high standard of care was provided in these new consultations. However ACU service standards are not being completely met, in particular related to referral time. Fig 1. ACU’S services standards.[3] • Couples should be seen within 6 weeks of referral. • Couples should be made aware of the staff caring for them. • Couples should be given clear verbal and written information of investigations and treatment options. 6. LIMITATIONS Relies on subjective data and patient recall which can be unreliable. Small sample size limits the generalisabilty of findings. No previous audit results to compare to. Staff knew they were being audited and could potentially have altered practice. As a result, findings may be biased. 4. RESULTS 2. AIM Assess standard of care provided to couples at first consultation in an ACU. Compare practice against guidelines defined by the local unit’s service standards, (shown in figure 1.) 3. METHOD Duration: 02/01/13 – 01/02/13 Location: ACU at Calderdale Royal Hospital Sample: 32 newly referred couples 24- 55 years old (mean age couple 34 years old) Design: Prospective study, data collected pre and post consultation using a questionnaire. Outcomes Measured: Couples ‘ ages, satisfaction with consultation, length of time since referral, if staff introduced themselves and whether verbal and written information was given. Fig 3. Results from outpatient questionnaire post consultation 7. RECOMMENDATIONS Praise staff on high standards, but reiterate guidelines to try and achieve 100% adherence. Repeat the audit in 6 months to see if practice has improved. Aim to keep staff unaware of the re-audit to avoid bias. Conduct an audit to identify the reasons for prolonged referral waiting times. REFERENCES [1] Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. 2013 [31st January 2013]; Available from: www.hfea.gov.uk [2]Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. How has the use of IVF and ICSI treatment changed over time? 2012 [2nd February 2013]: Available from: http://www.hfea.gov.uk/2586.html [3] Calderdale Assisted Conception Unit Service Standards. (2012) Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank Mr Debono, Dr Naeem, the specialist nurses and the rest of the ACU team Calderdale Royal Hospital, for your support with this audit.

More Related