Audit of a nurse endoscopist based one stop XXXX clinic.

@entity1 @entity32 @entity5 @entity2210 @entity356
As a response to the UK Health Department's "two week @entity5 wait" initiative a one stop @entity2210 clinic based on a nurse endoscopist was introduced, and the first 100 cases attending this clinic have been audited. After referral on a purpose designed form, @entity1 were assessed by a gastroenterologist and then investigated at the same visit--where possible and appropriate--by endoscopy or ultrasound scan. All endoscopies were performed by a trained nurse specialist. Of the 100 @entity1 , 84 were gastroscoped the same day and 11 had an ultrasound scan. Inappropriate tests were avoided in 16% of referrals. The commonest endoscopic diagnoses were minor oesophageal or gastroduodenal @entity32 (64% of gastroscopies). Only six oesophageal or @entity356 were found--all at an advanced stage--and three further @entity5 were diagnosed. Only a minority (12%) of the @entity1 with "alarm symptoms" had @entity5 . The waiting time for an appointment rose progressively during the first six months of the clinic. The system was popular with @entity1 as most of them (70%) were dealt with at a single hospital attendance. Basing the endoscopy practice on a trained nurse specialist not only facilitated the creation of the service by maximising the use of scarce resources, but also improved communication and overall management of @entity1 .
