Advantages of a single-stop vascular assessment clinic

We have examined the impact of a single-stop vascular assessment clinic, incorporating a portable Toshiba SSA140 color flow Doppler, scanner, on patient pathways and throughput in a teaching hospital. Data were collected retrospectively from computer-held information for a 3-month period in a conventional vascular clinic and compared with data from the equivalent 3 months after establishment of a single-stop clinic. New and follow-up patient numbers, discharges, and outcome of each consultation were compared. The results showed that the establishment of a single-stop vascular assessment clinic with duplex Doppler ultrasound facilitated earlier diagnosis and instigation of treatment. It also indirectly reduced clinic numbers, allowing a greater proportion of new-to-old patients per session. It is more convenient and cost-effective for patients and hospitals.