Abstract
New patient appointment slots at a colorectal surgery clinic in a hospital in northern England were becoming dominated by referrals on the rapid access (2-week wait) pathway, often to the detriment of less urgent referrals. The pathway's predetermined treatment times placed immense demand on hospital trusts to review and investigate in a timely manner. The clinic trialled a nurse-led triage system to relieve these capacity pressures. Advanced nurse practitioners with the right knowledge and skills electronically triaged referrals according to predetermined criteria. Patients were sent either straight to test (typically colonoscopy) or to a face-to-face clinic appointment, depending on the nurse's assessment of their need and suitability for different investigations.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
