Start | Browse by Day | Author Index | Keyword Index

The Effect of the Enhancement Re-Check Rate Program for Those Who Have Been Screened as Abnormal for Their Liver Function Examination

Saturday, 25 July 2015: 8:50 AM

Chiu-Yen Chen, MS, RN
Department and Institute of Nursing, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
I-Chuan Li, DNS
Institute of Clinical and Community Health Nursing, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
Yu-Chi Chen, PhD, RN
Department of Nursing, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan

The Effect of the Enhancement Re-check Rate Program for Those Who Have Been Screened as Abnormal for Their Liver Function Examination

Abstract

Background: Since 1986, chronic liver disease and liver cirrhosis have been listed as top ten causes of death. In 1996, Ministry of Health and Welfare began promoting free health examination for adults above age 40. However, more than half of those with abnormal liver function results are not return for follow-up outpatient visits and needs to be increased to ensure prevention of hepatopathy.

Purpose: To compare the rate of follow-up outpatient visits for subjects with abnormal liver function before and after implementing the enhancement re-check rate Program.

Method: The study design of program evaluation was used in this study from October 2011 to April 2012. Subjects who participated in free live function screening from one outpatient department of a hospital in southern Taiwan were chosen as study subjects via purposive sampling to participate in this program. The content of this programs were the following steps: to contact those who participated in free liver function screening and have been diagnosed as abnormal, to confirm  causes for them not return to receive follow-up visits, to set up the case manager to consult subjects, and to arrange designated personnel to guide those are agree to follow-up. Hotlines were also set up to provide detail information and guidance.

Results: After consulting those who have been diagnosed as abnormal liver function and not willing to visit follow-up, the main reason is they do not know the importance of follow-up visits. Among 341qualified subjects, 231 of them returned for follow-up visits after they have received this program services and makes the re-check rate was 68.0%. Compare 47.3% before the implementation of this new program, this program has a successful enhancement follow-up visits for those have been screened as abnormal live function.

Conclusion: This program reaches the goal of preventing liver function deterioration by screening, diagnosing, and treating as earlier as possible.

Keyword: health screening, chronic liver disease, the enhancement of the re-check rate

See more of: Implementing EBP to Promote Health and Prevent Disease
See more of: Evidence-Based Practice Sessions: Oral Paper & Posters