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Abstract Aim AUGIS 2016 guidelines state that patients with mild gallstone pancreatitis should undergo a cholecystectomy within the same admission or if discharged within two weeks of presentation. This reduces readmission and leads to shorter hospital stays. In 2020, compliance at Poole hospital was 57%. This audit aimed to identity current compliance and opportunities for improvement. Method Retrospective study of patients admitted at Poole Hospital from 01/12/22 to 31/05/23. This was followed by presentation of findings and discussion at staff meeting and staff education and re-audited from 10/07/23 to 10/11/23. Results 29 patients with gallstone pancreatitis were admitted during the initial study period. 22 fit for surgery, 2 patients passed away and 5 were unfit for surgery. 9 had cholecystectomy within 2 weeks giving a guideline compliance of 41%. Median hospital stay overall was three days. Median wait time to cholecystectomy was 5.5 days. Three patients who did not have a cholecystectomy within 2 weeks were later readmitted with pancreatitis. Five patients had previously been admitted with gallstone related diseases. The main barrier to compliance identified was a lack of regular theatre slots for cholecystectomy leading to regular cancellation on CEPOD. The later re-audit showed a compliance of 32%. Conclusions Compliance with AUGIS guidelines has fallen since 2020. Unfortunately, staff education and presentation of findings failed to improve compliance and a high rate of readmission wastes resources. To improve, service configuration is needed with dedicated theatre slots, this should be considered for the planned Poole and Bournemouth general surgery department mergers.
Powell et al. (Mon,) studied this question.