Neal Aplin discusses how the introduction of point-of-care testing to Swindon's Great Western Hospital Ambulatory Care Unit eased pressure on staff, leading to improved patient flow and shorter waiting times. In addition, this has been the catalyst for the introduction of further POC testing in the hospital to support patient triage.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) affects around one in 1000 adults each year. It occurs when a blood clot develops in a deep vein, most often in a leg, causing pain and swelling in the affected area. When left untreated, it can lead to serious complications, including pulmonary embolism (PE)1.
Tackling DVT in Swindon
In Swindon and the surrounding area, patients with suspected DVT were previously assessed at a specialised community-based DVT clinic. The clinic would receive referrals from primary care centres such as GP surgeries. The service was run by a senior nurse and if DVT was confirmed then they would start appropriate initial treatment (eg rivaroxaban) and refer the patient back to their GP for further management, if required. This set-up ensured that patients with suspected DVT could be treated locally and did not have to attend other secondary care units, such as emergency departments or ambulatory care units.
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