Accuracy in completing theatre listing forms
Published Date: 11th January 2021
Publication Authors: Adjei B, Hassan D, Mostafa A, Ramadan S, Benson A
Introduction
The numbers of cancer-related cases are increasing every day. There is a high turnover of patients on the elective lists. The theatre listing form is an important document to complete as it entails details of the procedure, type of anaesthesia, type of skin cancer patient has and many more. Patients with skin cancer need accurate listing because they are often old with multiple co-morbidities. They have multiple skin lesions which need to be clear of which specific site to be operated.
Methods
Theatre listing forms for elective surgeries from Burns and Plastic Surgical Department at STHK were reviewed. 267 forms were analysed if completed and completed correctly.
Results
90% of patients are skin cancer patients. The legibility (88%) was better than expected. 4.9% had filled up the diagnosis, 88.8% had written up the urgency, 99.2% identified presence of pacemaker and 83.5% had included patients' co-morbidities. Only 19.9% of the forms were accurately completed. Discussion There were several cancellations and delays in the surgical procedure due patient becoming temporarily unfit for the procedure or had a pacemaker. However since the forms were not filled properly, it was only known on the day of the procedure. There was lack of information of patients' co-morbidities. This caused the department to lose money when not all co-morbidities are ticked.
Conclusions
An online listing form can be implemented. This will improve legibility and increase the completion of all criteria. A re-audit after implementation of the online listing form will be done.
Adjei, B; Adnan, A; Hassan, D; Mostafa, A; Ramadan, S; Benson, A. (2021). Accuracy in completing theatre listing forms. European Journal of Surgical Oncology. 47 (1), E7