QI 144 Improving Upper Limb Splinting for Young People in Coventry

Abstract

Aim: To reduce the waiting time for splints for young people in Coventry from a maximum of 174 days to a maximum of 7 days by June 2022. Children and young people were assessed once a year in the Hand Splinting Clinic and were issued with prefabricated splints. Delays of up to 174 days were caused if the required splints were not in stock due to splints being ordered from overseas. The cost of these splints and staffing was around £105.00 per splint. The delays resulted in some splints not fitting the children by the time they had arrived due to growth, leading to excess stock and reordering. This improvement project aimed to reduce waiting times and costs. Tools Used: PDSA Cycles - https://aqua.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/qsir-pdsa-cycles-model-for-improvement.pdf; Process Mapping - https://aqua.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/qsir-mapping-the-process.pdf. Project Impact: We achieved a reduction in waiting times from up to 174 days to 0 days leading to better patient experience. The average cost of fitting a splint reduced from £105 to £80. Fabricated splints cost less. We saved approximately £6000 over the last financial year.