Reflections On the Benefits and Barriers in Developing and Implementing A Novel Digital Endoscopic Referral Pathway

Abstract

Issue: Gastrointestinal endoscopies are commonly requested, with variable alignment to accepted indications. A healthcare network had several, variable, paper-based referral management practices, with consequent variation in care delivery.

Intervention: A digital, single-entry point referral pathway with embedded triage criteria and real-time reporting was implemented.

Outcomes: Thus far, 14,588 referrals managed, with 10,939 exited, 25.3% without a procedure. Additionally, the “on-rate” for new outpatient appointments for relevant units decreased by 56.8%.

Conclusion: Endoscopic referrals and care delivery can be managed safely and efficiently across sites using a purpose-designed digital pathway. Changing established workflow was challenging, with iterative refinements ongoing.