AAA Care Bundles
The theory behind care bundles is that when several evidence-based interventions/guidelines are grouped together and applied in a single ‘protocol’, it will improve patient outcome. It is a simple method of monitoring adherence/existence of local guidelines, and as such is a valid assessment of quality.
- It will provide rapid easily interpretable information.
- It is a form of auditing and can identify areas for improvement.
- It is NOT research.
- It is NOT prescriptive. Each unit can identify their own criteria for each element.
AAA Pre-Operative Care Bundle.
We have been working with quality improvement consultants from the Health Foundation to help devise our AAA care bundles. Best practice protocols have been incorporated to drive up the quality of care. Each element in the bundle acts to ensure a vital intervention is undertaken to reduce the risk from AAA repair and improve patient safety.
The first bundle outlines the essential guidelines for AAA patients proceeding to intervention. These include:
- Patients should undergo standard pre-operative assessment and risk scoring. (Complete AAA Pre-Operative Safe for Intervention Checklist).
- Patients should undergo CT angiography for assessment for OPEN or EVAR repair.
- Patients should be seen by an anaesthetist with interest in vascular anaesthesia.
- Patients should be reviewed by an Multi-Disciplinary Team that includes a surgeon and radiologist as a minumum. (Complete MDT Proforma).
- Patients should be given evidence based written information about their treatment and condition.
Please find the AAA Pre-operative Care Bundle below which has been endorsed by the Vascular Society. It includes appendices of the relevant protocols as well as an audit form to monitor use within your unit.
Download AAA Pre-Operative Care Bundle (Updated July 2011) (doc)
This care bundle has been agreed to be adopted in many regions throughout the U.K. Clinicians can capture feedback on the implementation of the care bundle through Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) template below and send this back to the AAA QIP Project Team info@aaaqip.com
Download PDSA template for AAA Pre-Operative Care Bundle (Updated July 11) (doc)
Post-Operative Communication Care Bundle
A consistent theme that has emerged nationally is that patients feel they do not receive enough post operative information, in particular what to expect. Many patients reported that they faced unexpected consequences from AAA surgery and as a result this lead to anxiousness in their recovery. Patients' expectations need to be corrected and hospitals have a responsibility to provide the appropriate information to ensure patients experience the best possible care.
Therefore, the AAA QIP has outlined a strategy that aims to:
- Address the lack of post operative recovery information that has been identified nationally.
- Standardise the process of providing patient information.
- Ensure patients are fully informed upon discharge (inc medication, pain relief & follow up).
- Ensure patients are provided with a point of contact post-operatively to address concerns.
The following care bundle has been designed to achieve these aims. It should be implemented on all patients after surgical intervention.
Download AAA Post-Operative Communication Care Bundle (Updated July 2011) (doc)
Any feedback on implementation of the proforma can be documented on the Plan, Do, Study, Act template below and sent back to the AAA QIP Project Team for assessment, info@aaaqip.com
Download PDSA template for AAA Post-Operative Communication Care Bundle (Updated July 11) (doc)
