Rise of The Hot Clinic

Abstract

Abstract Introduction The surgical hot clinic was opened in December 2019 as part of our emergency surgical service. Despite initially poor uptake, the clinic has demonstrated its resilience through two national lockdowns and continuing pressures within the NHS. We report a two-month snapshot of activity in the unit. Methods Between June 1st and 1st August 2023, 299 patients were seen in the clinic. We analysed the data for patient demographics referral source and presenting complaint. Outcome measures included inpatient admission and patient discharge. Results 299 patients attended the clinic during the study period. The number of patients seen each day varied between 4 and 12 (median 5). Of these, 147 (49.1%) were male and 152 (50.9%) were female. The referral source was primary care in 28%, Emergency Department in 37.2% and ward discharges accounted for 34.8%. Abdominal pain accounted for the majority of presentations (39.5%,), abscesses (22.4%), urological complaints (17%) complex wounds (5%), rectal bleeding (3.4%), hernial disease in 2%. Miscellaneous conditions accounted for the remainder (10.7%). 279 patients were discharged from the clinic, the admission rate from the clinic 6.7% Conclusions The surgical hot clinic has become an invaluable for patient assessment and emergency surgical care, remaining open even when other areas of the trust have been closed due to the pandemic or NHS pressures. We recommend an emergency surgical ‘hot clinic’ as part of the framework in the provision of emergency surgical services.