Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/32630
Title: Blood investigation results at a primary health care centre in Malta : a brief evaluation
Authors: Baldacchino, Marilyn
Catania, Rebecca
Abela, Jurgen
Ellul, Robert
Keywords: Primary health care -- Malta
Patient satisfaction -- Malta
Blood -- Examination -- Malta
Blood lipids -- Analysis
Risk assessment
Issue Date: 2018-06
Publisher: Malta College of Family Doctors
Citation: Baldacchino, M., Catania, R., Abela, J., & Ellul, R. (2018). Blood investigation results at a primary health care centre in Malta : a brief evaluation. Journal of the Malta College of Family Doctors, 7(1), 8-16.
Abstract: Background This evaluation was based at Mosta Health Centre with a particular focus on the blood investigation results clinic. Objectives To get a clinical profile of the patients being seen at the clinic, to assess whether risk assessment tools are being used in the management of dyslipidaemia and to evaluate patient feedback about the clinic. Method This consisted of a cross-sectional observational study carried out over a five-week period between the end of October and the end of November 2017. Data was collected retrospectively immediately after completion of the clinic on three random days every week. Data collection was divided into two lists of patients – those who attended and those who failed to attend their appointment. A patient questionnaire was also handed to patients to fill in after attending their appointment. Data was inputted in Excel 2010 and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 22. Results A total of 181 patients had a registered appointment at the blood investigation results clinic during the period of data collection. Seventy-five per cent of these patients attended for their appointment, with 62.2% being females. Routine blood investigations were taken in 80.7% of patients, thyroid function tests in 71.9% and glycosylated haemoglobin in 31.9%. Fourteen point eight per cent of patients had tumour markers booked, and a significant association was found between gender and whether tumour markers were ordered. A risk assessment tool was used in only 21% of the patients seen at the clinic for a lipid profile result, with the majority of General Practitioners (GPs) using the QRISK®2 cardiovascular disease calculator. Seventy eight patient satisfaction questionnaires were filled in during the period of data collection, and the percentage of patients who gave a very positive response (>8) for questions 1, 2 and 3 was 92%, 89% and 97% respectively. Conclusion Patient attendance at the blood investigation results clinic at Mosta Health Centre during the period under review was reasonably good, and patients were overall satisfied by the service provided. Tumour markers were found to be ordered more frequently in male patients, due to the common request for the PSA test. Risk assessment tools were used by GPs in only 14% of the total number of patients seen at the clinic, and the QRISK®2 cardiovascular disease calculator was the most commonly used tool.
URI: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar//handle/123456789/32630
Appears in Collections:JMCFD, Volume 7, Issue 1
JMCFD, Volume 7, Issue 1
Scholarly Works - FacM&SFM

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