Authors (including presenting author) :
Man SKL(1), Tong KP(1), Wong YL(1), Lin YC(1), Lo KM(1), Lai SF(1), Wong SK(1), Wong KM(1), Leung WMD(1)
Affiliation :
Department of O&G, NTEC
Introduction :
Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is common in women that impaired their quality of life. Vaginal pessary is an effective treatment. Women may avoid the complications of surgery or use it while waiting for the operation. Nurse-led vaginal pessary replacement clinics were established in NTEC (PWH and AHNH) since 2010. Total 7 continence advisors are trained-up. Patients were first seen by gynaecologists. Those well on vaginal ring pessary for more than 6 months and decided to use it as long term treatment were referred to our nurse-led clinic. Nurses managed the patients according to a standard protocol. Patients are followed-up every 6 months for replacement of pessary. For any complication arose from pessary use, patients would be referred back to doctors for assessment. Self-replacement of the pessary is also encouraged and technique would be taught to patients who were willing to learn. For those who could manage self-replacement, they were discharged from the clinic.
Objectives :
To study the outcome and patients’ satisfaction about the nurse-led vaginal pessary replacement clinic
Methodology :
Patients who had attended the nurse-lead clinic for 3 or more times and attended in 2020 were included for this survey. Patient’s demographic, stage of POP and complications, if any, were collected. Patients filled in a 14-items questionnaire, including 3 questions to explore if the nurses could increase their knowledge, reduce their bothersome and improve their symptoms of POP; and an 11-items Patient Satisfaction Survey.
Result & Outcome :
In 2020, there were 626 appointments in NTEC. The attendance rates were 88% (551). There were 30 (5.4%) episodes referred to doctor. About 50% were due to complications. Overall, 156 patients were included for this survey. Their mean age was 77.3±32.2 years-old; 15%, 70%, 6% and 9% suffered from stage I, II, III and IV POP, respectively. Most patients agreed (64-39%) or strongly agreed (28-35%) that the nurses could improve their knowledge of POP, reduced their bothersome of POP and improved their symptoms of POP. In all, 153 (98%) patients completed the Patient Satisfaction Survey, majority of them were satisfied or very satisfied with the service provided by the nurse-led vaginal pessary replacement clinic. Nurse-led vaginal pessary replacement clinic relieved the number of doctor consultations for patients with POP.
