Presentations 2020: Restorative

427 - The implementation of the E-Referral system to a Restorative Dentistry unit and subsequent effects on specialist input need

U Patel R Newton J Owens
Presented by: Ushma Patel
Morriston Hospital

Introduction Currently many Secondary Care Dental services in the UK are transitioning from conventional paper referrals to E-Referral systems. Utilisation of an E-Referral system was implemented within our unit in March 2019. E-Referral systems are claimed to be a more accessible and convenient referral method for General Dental Practitioners but limited information is available as to whether the E-Referral system improves service provision. The aim of this audit was to analyse the effect of the new system on the flow of referrals, referral quality, and effects on patient load. Methods The first 50 patients seen from October 2018, using the conventional paper referral system, and the first 50 seen from October 2019, using the new E-referral system, were retrospectively collected using a data collection proforma on Microsoft Excel. Dates for: referral receipt, date added to the new patient waiting list, date of new patient exam, and referral outcome were recorded. Additionally, information was recorded on referral quality and adherence to the acceptance criteria. Results The mean number of days from referral receipt to patients being placed on the waiting list for paper referrals was 13.7 days and E-Referrals 1.4 days. Patients referred through paper referrals waited an average of 150 days to be seen on the new patient clinic, compared to 130 days for those sent by E-Referrals. 84% of E-Referrals met the departmental acceptance criteria whereas only 64% of paper referrals did. Interestingly only 36% of patients seen through E-Referrals were accepted onto the treatment waiting list, compared with 44% of paper referrals. Conclusion The E-referral system has proven to be a beneficial for our unit. Referrals are triaged and accepted at a much faster rate, waiting times have decreased, and referrals are now more compliant with the acceptance criteria. As the E-Referral system is new to GDP’s, we will re-audit in 12 months to assess improvement to service provision.
Consent Statement: There are no details on individual patients reported within the abstract.

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