Telephone Follow-up Protocol for AAA Patients Helen Stannett & Mary Miles Vascular Nurse Practitioners West Kent Vascular Centre

Aim: To trial the telephone follow up protocol for patients following AAA surgery (carried out by Vascular Nurses) EVAR & OR Elective & rupture

Patients: 12 EVAR 12 OR 5 Ruptures (four open/one evar) Age range: 49 – 80 years Gender: 24 male : 5 females Timing of call: on average 72 hrs post discharge Time taken per telephone call: 5 – 20 minutes Often need more than one call LOS: 48 hrs – 3 week

Common concerns: Fewest with EVAR and most with ruptured AAA's Recurrent problems - poor appetite & weight loss - lethargy & depression - wounds - medication

Implementation process Adapted Telephone Proforma (marginally and in consultation with Vascular team) Initial difficulties co-ordinating discharge/telephone follow up Introduced filing system to streamline this process Underestimating time required with phone calls Need to allocate time for this service

Future developments: Formalised as part of the patient pathway Nutritional needs should be high lighted pre- operatively (Enhanced Care Programme implemented 02/12) Dietary advice sheet with discharge info. Needs to be part of the Vascular Nurses job plan (audit & improve practice)

Conclusions: For the patient: –Enhances patient experience For the vascular team: –User friendly –Continuity of care –Good clinical practice –Documented evidence

ANY QUESTIONS?