ThTP1.13 Improving Practice in Acute Pancreatitis Management at University Hospital Wishaw

Abstract

Abstract Acute pancreatitis has an incidence of 150 to 420 cases per million population in the UK and appropriate management is essential given its high early mortality rate. This clinical audit aimed to improve the initial management of acute pancreatitis in patients presenting to UHW between June 2021 and August 2022. Retrospective analysis was performed for all acute pancreatitis patients discharged between 01/06/21 and 01/12/21. Management was compared against NICE, BSG and RCS audit standards which encompassed risk stratification, investigations, non-operative and operative management. Initial results were presented at the surgical monthly meeting in April 2022 to raise awareness of standardising care. An acute pancreatitis sticker was implemented to drive change. To assess the intervention impact, prospective data collection was performed from May to August 2022. Results revealed an improvement in nine out of ten of the audit standards. Suitable investigation into pancreatitis aetiology improved from 25% to 50%, with a notable 83% reduction in clinicians assuming alcohol induced pancreatitis without prior investigation of cause. Initial risk stratification of patients improved from 36% to 52% and severity assessment was bettered from 4% to 36%. The provision of nutritional support to relevant patients rose from 11% to 46%. Comparison of sub-cohorts revealed that adherence with the pancreatitis sticker showed measurably better compliance with standards. Raising awareness through departmental teaching and a pancreatitis sticker have demonstrated an improvement in standardisation of care, benefiting patient outcomes. Use of a visual aid has been shown to better standards therefore, future cycles should focus on compliance with sticker implementation.