408 The Swiss Cheese Effect: Following Lower Limb Emergency Admissions Through Hospital

Abstract

Abstract Introduction The Swiss cheese model analyses failure in a system: when holes align this creates ‘a trajectory of accident opportunity’. In healthcare this could translate to morbidity and/or mortality of patients. We investigated potential points of failure in treating lower limb injury patients through their hospital journey. Three points were investigated: (1) prescription of venous thrombo-embolism (VTE) prophylaxis, (2) operation note information and legibility (3) time delay in post-operative blood tests. Method A total of 105 patients of emergency lower limb surgical patients were identified retrospectively from two centres across the North West Region between the 31/07/20 and 21/11/20. Data was collected on (1) prescription of thrombo-prophylaxis, (2) information recorded, and legibility of operation notes as per RCSEng and (3) time delay in post-operative full blood count when compared to operation note recommendation. Results We found that between 10-55% of patients were prescribed anti-embolism stockings versus 100% given chemical anti-coagulation on day 1 of admission. Of a total of 23 data points, the mean number of points missing on operative notes was 4.90 (range: 2-10). A total of 82.5% handwritten operation notes were deemed legible. Post-operative full blood counts were ordered in 83.3% of patients, with the first order ranging between 1-5 days post operatively. Conclusions The cumulative effect of having these errors at all three points greatly increases the chance of morbidity/mortality of patients. Our experience demonstrates a failure to meet trust and Royal College of Surgeon’s guidelines. We aim to re-audit this nationally with our planned intervention.