Referral of Surgical Conditions

The Surgical Assessment Unit (SAU) now accepts a wider range of conditions in addition to abscess and appendicitis (see pathways below)

Please see inclusion and exclusion criteria:

Inclusion Criteria

• Recent surgical admission- within 2 weeks
• Bariatric surgical procedure- within 6 weeks
• Previous gastric band insertion
• Abdominal pain
• Biliary Colic / cholecystitis  / pancreatitis
• Abdominal / Axillary abscess
• Lower GI bleed
• Stoma
• Surgical wound dehiscence

Exclusion criteria

• Medical conditions leading to presenting complaint
• Diabetic ketoacidosis / hyperosmolar non-ketoacidosis
• Gynaecology – PV bleeding
• Pregnancy
• Trauma & Orthopaedics / Plastics
• End of life pathway
• Confusion
• Acute mental health issues
• Patients requiring isolation (Diarrhoea)
• Upper GI bleeding
• Neck abscesses refer to ENT / Maxillo facial team
• Leg abscesses or Ischaemic limb refer to Vascular Registrar  # 2738

Surgical Management of Abscess Using Surgical Assessment Unit

• Patient presents to Primary Care with abscess
• GP calls UHCW 02476964000 to speak to Surgical Assessment Unit Coordinator (bleep 1760)
• Patient informed to starve and attend Emergency Department with referral letter from where they will be directed to Ward 22 Surgical Assessment Unit
• If appropriate, the patient will be treated in the Surgery On Day of Admission Ward (SODA)

 

Surgical Management of Appendicitis Using Surgical Assessment Unit

• Patient presents to Primary Care with suspected appendicitis (subject to checklist below)
• GP calls UHCW 02476964000 to speak to Surgical Assessment Unit Coordinator (bleep 1760)
• Patient informed to starve and attend Emergency Department with referral letter from where they will be directed to Ward 22 Surgical Assessment Unit
• If appropriate, the patient will be treated in the Surgery On Day of Admission Ward (SODA)