Colorectal cancer Cancer Malignant neoplasm of other and ill-defined digestive organs
Conditions
Interventions
1. Open access flexible sigmoidoscopy (OAFS) guidelines.
2. No guidelines.
Sponsors
Record Provided by the NHS R&D 'Time-Limited' National Programme Register - Department of Health (UK)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: 1. Patients referred for open access flexible sigmoidoscopy and their referring practices. 2. Patients with symptomatic rectal bleeding referred for outpatient assessment prior to and during the study period. 3. < 18 years old
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: Does not match inclusion criteria
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| 1. Referrals/1000 population 2. Endoscopy findings 3. Final diagnoses 4. Time to diagnosis 5. Resource costs in primary and secondary care 6. Patient resource costs. The introduction of the guideline had no significant effect on the selection of patients for investigation, but did influence patient management, both at the time of endoscopy and thereafter, the sum effect of which was reduced use of secondary care resources. GPs are selective in their use of an OAFS service for patients with rectal bleeding. The introduction of OAFS is cost effective and results in changes in case mix in referrals to specialist clinics. Non-malignant neoplasms were found more often in OAFS referrals, confirming the value of this service in evaluating low risk rectal bleeding. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Not provided at time of registration | — |
Countries
United Kingdom
Outcome results
None listed