Ann R Coll Surg EnglThe aim of this study was to audit the activity of ESPs in our hospital. Benchmark standards were set as follows: (i) ESPs should independently assess 85% of patients appropriately referred to them; 2 (ii) the patient satisfaction rate should be 89%; 1 and (iii) no patient should be re-referred to an orthopaedic surgeon with the same complaint.
Patients and Methods
Extended scope physiotherapistsESPs had at least 5 years' clinical experience post qualification and at least 3 years' experience in the management of orthopaedic and musculoskeletal conditions as recommended by the guidelines produced by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. 4 ESPs had been seeing new orthopaedic referrals in clinic for at least 18 months before the period of the audit.
TriageBased on the recommendations of Durrell, We undertook an audit of the activity of the extended scope physiotherapists (ESPs) in our unit. We assessed their activity against three benchmark data: (i) independent assessment and management by the ESP of 85% of patients seen by them; (ii) no patient to be re-referred to a surgeon with the same problem; and (iii) patient satisfaction rate of 89%.
There is often not enough time available on scheduled trauma lists to cope with the orthopaedic trauma workload. In these circumstances there are several ways to ensure that the trauma cases are dealt with.
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