THE EFFECT OF A NEW POLICY FOR INWARD TRANSFER OF PATIENTS DIAGNOSED WITH CEREBRAL VENOUS THROMBOSIS (CVT) ACROSS GREATER MANCHESTER TO THE TERTIARY NEUROSCIENCES CENTRE

Background From June 2014, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cumbria neurology network implemented regional guidelines on management of CVT. Central to this was an agreement to transfer where appropriate all radiologically confirmed CVT to the regional neurosciences unit within 24 hr. Given this change in practice we assessed the impact on our service in Greater Manchester Neurosciences Centre. Results Between June 2014 and November 2014, 14 patients were admitted; compared to 6 in 2012 and 6 in 2013. The wait for urgent beds did not vary compared to equivalent period in 2012 and 2013; median wait 1d. The wait for non-urgent beds increased slightly between 2013 and 2014 from 15.9d to 16.7d. Both were worse compared to 2012 (9.8d), likely reflecting overall pressure on acute services. There was no increase in the average LOS for the acute neurology wards. Average LOS was 15.3d between June and Nov 2014 compared to 22.3d in the equivalent period in 2013. Conclusion Despite a large change in practice for management of CVT there was a small increase in number of patients and no significant effect on admission waiting times, average LOS or critical care bed days was noted.