MCAP for Pre-admission - Barts Health NHS Trust
ISSUE
MCAP identified patients transferred to St Barts Hospital (SBH) prior to surgery or cardiac procedure, but who are not ready and require ‘work up’ as an in-patient in SBH. Often patients are not fit for surgery and therefore it is too late to replace the theatre slot with another patient. This results in empty theatre slots.
SOLUTION
An E-referral system now used at the Trust. Questions on the referral system require completion and all data needs to be entered before a date is allocated. The SPOC (Single Point of Contact) office directly communicate with the referring hospitals prior to the transfer of patients. The patient must meet MCAP criteria prior to transfer. Patient details are reviewed before any transfer is agreed. This has resulted in better communication between the Trusts and confirmation that investigations have taken place and are still within the time schedule resulting in the bed being held for the patient.
OUTCOME
There has been over a 75% reduction in cancelled theatre procedures in a 12-month period.