Risk factor documentation in elective and emergency vascular surgical admissions

Objectives: this study investigates current practice of risk factor documentation in a vascular unit and compares variations in risk factor assessment between elective and emergency admissions. Methods: one hundred and forty-four patients who underwent vascular surgical intervention for atherosclerotic disease during the year 2000 were retrospectively identified from computerised database. Case note review collated demographic details, data on risk factor assessment and the nature of surgery. Data were analysed using SPSS statistical software. Results: the male to female ratio was 2.3:1 with a median (range) age of 73 (31-95) years. For 55 (38%) emergency admissions the following risk factors were not documented; ischaemic heart disease (8), diabetes mellitus (10), hypertension (10), smoking habit (13) and antiplatelet therapy (18). For 89 (62%) elective admissions the following risk factors were not documented; ischaemic heart disease (11), diabetes mellitus (9), hypertension (4), smoking habit (5) and antiplatelet therapy (19). Sixty-six 2 (72.5%) routine admissions and 11 (20.8%) emergency admissions had estimations of serum cholesterol documented (chi(2) p < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in the documentation of other risk factors between the 2 groups. Conclusion: risk factors are not documented consistently for emergency vascular surgical admissions. Staff education should aim to improve risk factor assessment for elective and emergency admissions to reduce cardiovascular events and possibly improve surgical outcome in patients with atherosclerotic disease.