Abstract
Purpose of the study and background
This audit report outlines a physiotherapy lead spinal triage program for inpatients in a private hospital. The reason to trial this model was proposed as a way to expedite the assessment of inpatients presenting with back pain and implement an appropriate and prompt management plan.
Summary of the methods used and the results
An audit tool was developed to record the patient details and outcomes of referrals to the spinal triage program. Length of time between referral and triage was recorded as was the number of patients that went on to require a spinal surgeon consult and spinal intervention. A total of 75 patients were referred into Spinal Triage over a 7 month period.
The majority of in patients referred for spinal consult within this private hospital setting were triaged solely by physiotherapy (56%) and a management plan decided on in conjunction with the spinal surgeon on call who could access any imaging remotely. Six patients (8%) involved in the triage program went on to have spinal surgical intervention.
Conclusion
Results indicate that the majority of spinal consults at inpatient level do not proceed to require surgical intervention. These results support the model of using Physiotherapists to triage this patient group.
I can confirm that this abstract has not previously been published in whole or substantial part nor has it been presented previously at a national meeting.
Conflicts of interest: No conflicts of interest
Source of funding: No funding obtained
