RE: Clinical audit suggestions

Sal the 1st — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 20:11:54 GMT

how environmental temperature affects recovery times following surgery., how early feeding post op on routine cases can affect surgery - discharge times, or one that I did in practice (not part of a course) how much of client non compliance is down to misunderstanding instructions?

RE: Clinical audit suggestions

Alison Clare Hickman — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 07:08:59 GMT

My understanding of a clinical audit is where you measure a clinical outcome (e.g. of a surgical procedure) or a process (e.g. the effectiveness of cleaning protocols) against well defined standards of (evidence based) practice. This is done to identify any changes required to improve the quality of the outcome.

Therefore, using your examples:

I would be measuring the outcome of current pain relief...basically, did it work for the patient as expected or not. If not, why not and what improvement is needed. Observation and recording on Pain score sheets are your tools.

Nosocomial infections. Agree difficult to monitor. I'd avoid.

I think the most obvious ones I can think of (have undergone in the past) are:

1. Post op infection or wound breakdown

2. Effectiveness of catheterisation

3. Effectiveness of cleaning protocols

They are most readily measurable.

Not sure if what I've said will help you or not, but good luck and lets us know what you've decided to do and then afterwards, the outcome!

Ali