| Title: | A Clinical Audit on the Use of Respiratory Physiotherapy Outcome Measures on Inpatients in St. Luke’s General Hospital |
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| Author(s): | E. Geraghty |
| Institution: | St. Luke's General Hospital Carlow/Kilkenny |
| Poster: | Click to view poster |
| Category: | Miscellaneous |
| Abstract: | The aim of this study was to audit on the use of respiratory physiotherapy outcome measures in St. Luke's Hospital against the European Region World Confederation for Physiotherapy (ERWCPT) Standards. Charts of inpatients referred for respiratory physiotherapy were identified and audited. The initial audit was carried out in September 2019 (n=18) and the repeat audit in October 2020 (n=12). Following the initial audit, an action plan was implemented that included a literature review, an education session for physiotherapists and a redesign of our Respiratory Physiotherapy Assessment Form. In the initial audit, 5.5% of charts had respiratory physiotherapy outcome measures, however this improved to 83.3% in the repeat audit. The Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnoea Scale and the Breathlessness Cough and Sputum Scale were the two most common outcome measures used in the repeat audit (both in 75% of charts). Outcome measures which have psychometric properties, rather than physiological measures like oxygen saturation, are more favourable in determining the effectiveness of physiotherapy treatment as their validity and reliability have been well-researched, they have minimal clinically important differences and can be patient-centred if using a patient-reported outcome measure. This project ensured that ERWCPT Standards were met with an emphasis on patient-centred care. |
