In article <007201c186cf$43284770$b3457ad5@tinypc>, s.carley
<[log in to unmask]> writes
> The only way round this is to change terminologies. We perceive a
> similar problem with chest pain protocols (ours is at least 6
> hours) and lots of the other things we are working on.
>
> You can see a redisgnation of hitting a trolley in the ED is a type
> of short stay admission coming in. Despite Christmas I am feeling
> slightly cynical and can see the target being met be
> redesignation/recategorisation regardless of what happens on the
> ground. No doubt the health minister would take the glory.
Think what you're doing before becoming complicit in such artificial
fixes. Are you agreeing to a re-definition of a bed to improve your
patient's care, or your performance manager's bonus? I stood firm
recently against just such a move and Region backed down (so far).
Regarding targets for total stay in departments, I think the 100%
compliance with 4 hours target will have to be amended to something more
pragmatic (e.g. 95% within 4 hours, 100% within 12 hours) to allow for
just the sort of case you describe. I await the Health Service Circular
clarifying the issue in the New Year.
Meanwhile, anyone reporting 100% compliance with 4 hours will doubtless
be sacked.
Dr G Ray
A&E
Sussex
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