772 Quality Improvement Project – Establishment of The Breast Pain Clinic at Torbay Hospital

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Breast pain alone should not be imaged. The common misconception that breast pain alone is a symptom of malignancy and the subsequent impact on the Triple Assessment Clinic (TAC), lead to the development of the Breast Pain Clinic (BPC), a holistic service to educate patients and reduce unnecessary imaging. Method Retrospective data was collected of TAC attendees between September-December 2018, noting patients presenting solely with breast pain (BPP); number of BPP imaged; and those with positive results. Prospective data collection of those attending the TAC and BPC were collected between September-December 2019. Results Retrospectively 17% (151/888) of TAC attendees were BPP, 23.8% (36/151) were imaged and 97.2% (35/36) had normal/benign changes. Following BPC creation 7% (67/940) of TAC attendees were BPP, 31.3% (21/67) were imaged all with no positive results. 1% (3/94) of BPC attendees were BPP, all with normal/benign imaging. 96% of questionnaire respondents felt more confident managing breast pain. Conclusions The development of a BPC was successful in educating patients and reducing anxiety. It also reduced the proportion of patients presenting to the TAC with pain and the proportion of patients imaged. With further education of community practitioners on referral adherence, this service could benefit breast services nationwide.