One-Stop Postmenopausal Bleeding Clinics Reduce Patient Waiting Times and Theatre Costs

Abstract

Background. Postmenopausal bleeding (PMB) is a common problem and reason for referral to gynaecology clinics. Aims. The aim of this study was to compare patient management and outcomes from a newly developed one-stop clinic for women with PMB with traditional gynaecology outpatient clinics. Methods. Retrospective studying running from January to July 2003 comparing the one-stop clinic with four traditional consultant-led outpatient gynaecology clinics also seeing women with PMB running concurrently in the same hospital. Results. In the study period, 95 and 51 women were seen in each type of clinic. There was no difference in patient demographics but the time from referral to first consultation was shorter in the PMB clinic (p<0.001) and women had fewer visits (p<0.001). The mean time from first consultation to definitive treatment or discharge was also shorter (p<0.001). Fewer hysteroscopies were generated from the PMB clinic (p<0.001) and yet there was no difference in the rates of abnormal histology between the two groups. Conclusions. This study demonstrated that one-stop investigation of PMB, compared to traditional outpatient clinics, reduced waiting times and theatre costs by reducing the number of hysteroscopies.