1115 Assessing Patient Understanding of Treatment Indications and Follow-Up Procedures Following Emergency Ureteric Stent Insertion: A Single Centre Study

Abstract

Abstract Aim Ureteric stents are inserted to maintain urinary drainage from the kidney to the bladder in the presence of ureteral obstruction or injury. Over the last 24 months, multiple stents have been retained at our institution, requiring additional invasive surgery to remove encrusted stents with associated loss of kidney function, infection, and morbidity. The aim of this audit is to assess patients’ understanding of the indications for ureteric stent insertion, duration of treatment and how to arrange timely stent removal to avoid the risk of further complications. Method We collected prospective data from patients undergoing emergency JJ-ureteric stent insertion within the Urology department of Northampton General Hospital. We assessed patient understanding of stent indications, treatment duration and stent removal using a questionnaire format. Results All patients surveyed were aware of the indications for stenting. 75% of patients were aware of the minimum duration of stent treatment, however more than half of patients were unaware of when their stent needed to be removed. All patients surveyed did not know how to arrange a stent removal or change, or who to contact regarding this. Conclusions There is a notable lack of patient knowledge and understanding regarding stent removal. We have designed, and plan to implement, a stent passport to provide patients with the relevant information regarding the indications for stenting, duration of treatment and contact details to arrange stent removal. We plan to re-audit patient understanding and outcomes following implementation of the stent passport.