News
Rapid Access Blackouts Triage Clinic
Central Manchester and Manchester Children’s University Hospitals NHS Trust
Dr Sanjiv Petkar, Clinical Research Fellow and Honorary Associate Specialist (Cardiology), Sister Win Bell, Specialist Electrophysiology Nurse, Sister Nicola Rice, Specialist Falls Nurse, Dr Marie Hanley, Consultant Physician, Dr David McKee, Consultant Neurologist, Dr Nick Curtis, GP with Special Interest in Epilepsy, Professor Kevin Mackway-Jones, Consultant in Accident and Emergency, Mr Jimmy Stuart, Consultant in Accident and Emergency, Sister Pamela Iddon, Specialist Epilepsy Nurse, Professor Clifford Garratt, Consultant Cardiologist, Dr Adam Fitzpatrick, Consultant Cardiologist (Central Manchester and Manchester Children’s University Hospitals NHS Trust) and Dr Paul Cooper,
Consultant Neurologist (Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust).
A multitude of issues are associated with delivering adequate care to patients experiencing blackouts (e.g. recurrences, physical impairment, unnecessary hospitalisations/investigations/resources,
and
misdiagnosis). As a consequence, patients may not access appropriate treatment for their condition and they may be prescribed drugs unnecessarily.
The Rapid Access Blackouts Triage Clinic, established
in May 2007, provides a rapid assessment and triage
of patients with blackouts to the most appropriate care pathway to ensure the best use of NHS resources. It is held once a week and accepts referrals from GPs, the Falls team, General Physicians, the Accident and Emergency Department, Trans-Ischaemic Attack Clinic and Cardiologists.
Patients attending the clinic undergo a 12-lead electrocardiogram (those over 40 years of age also have a carotid sinus massage) and then complete a detailed computerised questionnaire with a Specialist Nurse. The data obtained at the clinic is entered into a care pathway (based on the Department of Health Implementation Documents for Blackouts), to ensure that patients are categorised (high or low risk) and directed to the relevant speciality (cardiology, neurology, falls, etc.). If necessary, facilities are available for patients to undergo an echocardiogram
or have a 24-hour tape fitted the same day. The Associate Specialist can also prescribe drug treatment (e.g. midodrine) or list patients for other cardiology procedures.
The multi-disciplinary nature of the Rapid Access Blackouts Triage Clinic ensures that patients receive a more accurate diagnosis and receive care via an appropriate pathway more quickly.
Image: Dr Adam Fitzpatrick, Nicola Rice, Dr Sanjiv Petkar, Win Bell and, Dr Paul Cooper (Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust).