AB147. 178. Radiology support is a vital component of an efficient and effective acute surgical assessment unit

Background: Ultrasound imaging is a common and important investigation for emergency surgical admissions. Our aim was investigating the clinical impact rapid access to ultrasound had on patients presenting to the acute surgical assessment unit in Galway University Hospital (GUH).

Methods: We performed a prospective audit of all patients who presented to the acute surgical assessment unit over a 4-week period who required an ultrasound as part of their diagnostic work-up.

Results: During the study period 31 Ultrasound investigations were requested and preformed on the same day for patients attending the acute surgical assessment unit. Prompt abdominal and pelvic ultrasounds out ruling serious pathology, which would require inpatient management resulted in 16 avoided admissions and expedited 10 patients who required emergency surgery with 5 patients requiring further investigations. When compared to a similar cohort from 2016, 28 ultrasounds were requested for emergency surgical presentations. The prompt and effective interaction between radiology and the acute surgical assessment unit (ASAU) resulted a reduction in length of stay of 1.4 days.

Conclusions: Our results confirm that prompt access to departmental ultrasound undoubtedly benefits emergency surgical patients and has a significant reduction in length of stay of emergency surgical patients. The indirect benefit of reduced emergency surgical admissions reduces the likelihood of elective patients cancellations due to bed shortages. Support from our radiology colleagues is vital for an acute surgical assessment unit to function efficiently.

Keywords: Surgical assessment unit; ultrasound