Effect of an algorithm on the treatment of knee injuries

An audit was performed of the treatment of patients presenting with acute knee injuries to the accident and emergency department of a district general hospital. This showed that for patients requiring follow-up the majority were reviewed by the casualty officers themselves in the accident department, with the result that definitive diagnosis and treatment for patients with continuing symptoms was often delayed. Once the current treatment had been discussed at an audit meeting, a protocol (in the form of an algorithm) of the treatment of knee injuries was produced. A further audit was performed after the protocol had been in use. This demonstrated that the protocol was effective in encouraging the casualty officers to seek the help of more senior members of staff and also reduced the time taken to definitive diagnosis and treatment.