WP5.19 - The undifferentiated general surgical take over 10 years: admissions Free

The aim of this study is to review the undifferentiated emergency general surgical take, with regards to admissions in July 2013 and July 2023, at a District General Hospital in order to understand the specific pressures on the department and to identify areas in which we could adapt to facilitate these demands.

Retrospective data regarding admission and re-admission on all patients treated by the emergency general surgical team in July 2013 and July 2023 was collected from electronic notes. If insufficient information was available, patients were excluded from analysis.

Patient numbers increased by 50% from 2013 to 2023, from 395 to 594. Average length of stay in 2013 was 3.26 days (+/-0.2, p = 0.03), reducing to 2.58 days (+/-0.2, p = 0.03) in 2023. Number of patients admitted overnight has decreased from 74% (n=291/395) in 2013, to 54% (n=324/594) in 2023. Proportion of referrals from ED increased from 48% in 2013, to 69% in 2023. Planned reviews and patients ambulated for surgery the following day has increased from 4% of all patients seen in 2013, to 16% in 2023.

Volume of patients has increased significantly over this 10-year period. Simultaneously, duration and number of overnight admissions have decreased, alongside increasing use of ambulatory services. This reflects the aims of the Government, and the Royal College of Surgeons, with increasing investment in day-case and ambulatory services. However, without an increase in hospital bed numbers, the rising volume of patients may become difficult to manage.