Abstract:
Introduction: A recent clinical debrief at the GP practice identified that several patients with a history of bariatric surgery were not receiving follow-up care in accordance with BOMSS guidelines, with adverse effects on health outcomes. A review of patient records was undertaken to identify gaps in care, areas for improvement, and potential trends.
Aim: The purpose of this audit is to identify all registered patients with a history of bariatric surgery and to assess whether they are receiving appropriate monitoring in line with BOMSS guideline recommendations.
Method: A search of the practice’s clinical system (System One) was conducted using a filter to identify patients with bariatric surgery documented in their medical records. Forty-six patients were identified. Four were pre-operative and two were no longer registered with the practice, resulting in a final sample size of 40 patients. A data collection table was developed in Microsoft Word, incorporating headings based on BOMSS guidelines as well as additional fields relevant to bariatric follow-up care. The table headings are shown below.
Results: Review of vitamin supplementation records showed that some patients were prescribed part, but not all, of the supplements recommended for their specific surgical procedure. This was further analysed and is presented below. For gastric bypass patients, a multivitamin is the only supplement required under current guidance. Similarly, the analysis of post-operative blood test monitoring indicated that annual testing was not being performed consistently.
