Like what you read? Learn how to implement these ideas using Clear Impact products in a private demo:

Get Private Demo

Average Waiting Time to See a Specialist (days)

View on the Web

Success Story

About the Organization

The Alan Richens Unit is an Epilepsy Unit with outpatient facilities as well as a service for EEG monitoring and drug level measurement.

What was the situation?

The NICE guidelines were only being achieved for 35% of patients.

What did you do?

Protocols were developed to provide an Emergency Unit assessment service within the four hour target on a Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 5:30pm. Outside of these hours, a fast track referral was made to the Epilepsy unit in line with the old pathway. A comprehensive communication strategy was developed within the Emergency Unit. This included the use of posters advertising the new service and training sessions for staff. Following the development of the nurse-led emergency unit assessment service work was started on providing a similar fast track assessment service for first seizure patients who presented to Primary Care rather than to the Emergency Unit.

The name of the Welsh Epilepsy Unit was changed to the Alan Richens Unit on the 14th February 2010 as St. Valentine is the patron saint of Epilepsy.

What happened?

The percentage of patients with a first suspected seizure being seen by a specialist within the two week NICE guideline has increased from 35% to 61%.

Turn the Curve Action Plan Details

Story Behind the Curve: 

  • Limited clinic capacity with unpredictable demand
  • Small team – unable to cover absence to prevent clinic cancellation
  • Low frequency of clinics causing delay if appointment not suitable for the patient
  • Clinic booked by Epilepsy Unit admin staff – if admin staff on leave the clinic slots are not filled
  • Consultant triage’s fax referrals – delay if unavailable
  • Patient anxiety and concern re implications of a diagnosis e.g. driving
  • Stigma attached to Epilepsy
  • Patients put off by unit name – diagnosis seems pre-determined
  • Nurses unable to refer for EEG leading to delay in diagnostics and confirmed diagnosis
  • Primary Care does not have fast track access for first seizure clinics
  • Primary Care are not made aware if a patient DNA’s so can’t follow up

Partners: 

Emergency Unit, Radiology, Neurophysiology, Medical Records, A&C staff, Consultants, Specialist Nurses, Ambulance Trust, Cardiology, Psychology, Care of the Elderly, Neurosurgery, Prison, Voluntary Sector, Practice Nurses, GP’s, Family members/ witnesses, Drug & Alcohol Services, Occupational Health, Referral Management Centre, Obstetrics, Management, Communications Department, Patients

Action Plan: 

  • Develop a nurse led emergency unit assessment service for patients experiencing a first seizure
  • Change the name of the “Epilepsy Unit” to the “Alan Richens Unit”
  • Develop nurse led first seizure clinics to cover when Consultants unavailable
  • Develop dedicated fast track clinic for Primary Care referrals
  • Enable specialist nurse referral for EEG

Interested in sharing your own success story with the world? Email our Communications Coordinator at Christian@ClearImpact.com.

Additional Resources:

Learn More About The World’s Only RBA Support Software

Clear Impact Scorecard is specially designed to help you implement the RBA Turn the Curve Thinking steps to improve your decision-making and maximize your impact.

Read More

virtual training options

Get Started on your Results-Based Accountability Journey

We offer Results-Based Accountability workshops, training, coaching, and technical assistance to help you implement RBA in the most effective way possible.

Learn More

Learn More About Results-Based Accountability in Our Free RBA Guide

RBA is a decision-making framework that helps government agencies, non-profits, communities, and foundations improve the lives of children, families, and communities worldwide.

Download