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Modified trauma assessment clinic: A rapid, scalable model
Peggy Miller1, Robert Hurley1, Fergus McCabe1
1Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Journal of Orthopaedics
|March 4, 2022
Summary
A modified Trauma Assessment Clinic (TAC) can be rapidly established with minimal cost, reducing fracture clinic attendance by 48%. This approach avoids unnecessary hospital visits for many patients, improving efficiency in trauma care.
Area of Science:
- Orthopaedic Surgery
- Trauma Management
- Healthcare Operations
Background:
- Trauma Assessment Clinics (TACs) are effective for managing trauma care and reducing patient attendances.
- Existing TAC models are well-established, with extensions proving successful during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Rapid start-up models for TACs are not well-documented in scientific literature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate that a modified TAC can be initiated rapidly and cost-effectively.
- To evaluate the efficacy of a modified TAC compared to traditional models.
- To provide a scalable blueprint for establishing new TACs.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of a novel electronic referral pathway with a standardized template.
- Integration between the Emergency Department (ED) and the Orthopaedic department.
Main Results:
- 32% of referred patients avoided in-person review, reducing hospital visits.
- Average time to the first in-person review appointment was 15 days.
- Projected overall reduction in fracture clinic attendance was 48%.
Conclusions:
- A major orthopaedic unit successfully developed an accelerated TAC establishment process.
- The modified TAC is a quick, safe, and scalable alternative to traditional models.
- The provided template serves as a guide for rapid TAC implementation in other departments.
