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A spotlight on lymphoedema Did Not Attends: Demographics and workforce costs
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Rhian Wyn Noble‐Jones
International Wound Journal, Volume: 20, Issue: 5
Swansea University Author:
Ioan Humphreys
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DOI (Published version): 10.1111/iwj.13999
Abstract
This unique evaluation aimed to estimate, the financial impact of non-attendance on a nation-wide hospital lymphoedema service. Along with gaining some understanding of patient characteristics of those who Did Not Attend (DNA) and were subsequently discharged. The evaluation design interrogated exis...
| Published in: | International Wound Journal |
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| ISSN: | 1742-4801 1742-481X |
| Published: |
Wiley
2022
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| Online Access: |
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61966 |
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| Abstract: |
This unique evaluation aimed to estimate, the financial impact of non-attendance on a nation-wide hospital lymphoedema service. Along with gaining some understanding of patient characteristics of those who Did Not Attend (DNA) and were subsequently discharged. The evaluation design interrogated existing performance data from 2012 to 2022. This information was used to estimate the costs incurred based on national published sources and pay scales. Staffing costs of over £1.1 m in one decade related to the financial impact of over 23 000 unattended lymphoedema appointments. The characteristics of 870 patients from 2019/2020 were also evaluated suggesting that those with a wound alongside complex lymphoedema were less likely to DNA appointments. Two-thirds of patients were managing two or more comorbidities—obesity, cardiac conditions and diabetes being the most common. It seems likely that some DNAs are avoidable by adapting appointment administrative processes and greater understanding of patients' perception of value. However, the reasons for DNA are likely to be varied and nuanced so potentially a small proportion are unavoidable. Modernising appointment processes and identifying patient value may help minimise DNA costs in the future. |
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| Keywords: |
comorbidity; Did Not Attend (DNA); financial workforce impact; lymphoedema; wounds |
| College: |
Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences |
| Issue: |
5 |