AUDIT OF PROCEDURES RELATED TO OUTCOME OF CHEST CLINIC CONSULTATION

We audited the case records of 493 new patients referred to a chest cl inic to determine for eight consultants and five middle-grade staff th e average number of investigations performed, the follow-up rate and p rolixity (the length of the letter written to the general practitioner ). The outcome of the consultation was assessed by a questionnaire adm inistered to the patients' general practitioners. Practitioner mean in vestigation rates varied from 0.1 to 8.7 investigations per patient, f ollow-up rate from 45 to 100% and average prolixity from 53 to 200 mm. The prolixity of the eight consultants was significantly related to t heir investigation and follow-up rates. Consultation outcome was at le ast satisfactory for 97.4% of patients. We conclude that considerable potential exists for savings of laboratory, clinic and secretarial tim e and costs by reducing investigation and follow-up rates and writing shorter letters to general practitioners.