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Neck lump clinic: a new initiative at North Shore Hospital
Author(s) -
Linkhorn Hannah,
Pandya Hament,
Ramsaroop Reena,
Wade Mark,
Smith Kevin
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
anz journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.426
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 1445-1433
DOI - 10.1111/ans.15120
Subject(s) - medicine , audit , head and neck , surgery , general surgery , management , economics
Background Neck lumps can cause significant patient anxiety and benefit from a multidisciplinary diagnostic approach, with an ultrasound scan and fine needle aspirate. Internationally, ‘one‐stop’ clinics are used for the evaluation of neck lumps, to date no such clinic has been established in the New Zealand public hospital system. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of a one‐stop diagnostic neck lump clinic (NLC), aiming for improved patient experience and efficiency. Methods A consultant‐led pilot NLC was instituted with the involvement of a head and neck surgeon, radiologist and pathologist, allowing ultrasound scan and fine needle aspirate investigations to be performed simultaneously. A retrospective audit of patients in the 12 months prior to commencement of the NLC provided a comparison group. Results The median number of clinic visits was 2 in the control group and 1 in the NLC ( P < 0.001). Time from first specialist appointment to surgery was 192 days compared to 134.5 days for NLC ( P = 0.057). Median time from first specialist appointment to treatment decision was 108.5 days compared to 0 days in the NLC ( P < 0.001). Eighty‐eight percent of patients in the NLC were given a diagnosis at their first appointment. The median number of investigations required was 2 in the control group and 1 in the NLC ( P < 0.001). Median cost per patient in the NLC was $794 and $1470 in the control group. Conclusion This pilot trial demonstrates streamlined decision‐making and efficient utilization of services with a reduction in clinic visits, investigations and cost. High patient satisfaction was reported with this service.