PB2266 HOW TO IMPROVE HEMATOLOGIC REFERRAL? ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Background: Incidental laboratorial abnormalities detected in asymptomatic persons are increasingly becoming a frequent motive for referral to a haematological consultation, overloading outpatient units that are run by small teams. These referrals, along with the subsequent acceptance by the triage manager and further haematological investigation by a haematologist, originate from the fear of missing incipient severe haemopathies. Aims: To evaluate the adequacy and the result of these referrals to ascertain the hypothesis that a large proportion of the cases have no indication for specialized haematological care. Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients referred to the Haematology consult of a central hospital over a 2‐year period (Jan/16‐Dec/17), excluding the ones who already had a known diagnosis. We evaluated the reason for referral, the final diagnosis and at a second stage we tried to quantify the referrals which could be managed in primary care, and their origin. Results: Out of 1162 evaluable patients (236 still in study), the majority (65%) came from Primary Health Care. The motive, in 85% of the cases, consisted in blood count abnormalities (59% cytopenias). In 13% of the cases, the initial abnormality no longer existed upon arrival. Finding an underlying pathology was possible in only 48% of the cases. From these, 14% could have been managed in Primary Health Care (e.g. iron deficiency; vitamin deficits) and 86% were haematologically relevant. As for the referrals which could have been avoided (no underlying haematological pathology or unconfirmed motive) the most frequent causes were cytopenias (anaemia 33%, leukopenia 15%, thrombocytopenia 12%) and they originated from Primary Health Care (72%). Summary/Conclusion: In this sample, we confirmed that a high proportion of referrals are manageable in Primary Health Care, particularly cytopenias, part of which are no longer present at the first haematological evaluation. The probability of a haematological investigation resulting in a clinically relevant diagnosis is very low, seemingly not justifying the consult time, the costs for the system or the personal costs for the patient. The elaboration of specifically designed recommendations for Primary Health Care and the implementation of interaction/discussion networks of pre‐triage cases are indispensable measures to optimize the haematological referral process.