Why is it important?
When it comes to high-quality inpatient care for people with IBD, quick and regular access to specialist review is essential—especially for patients with acute severe colitis. Inpatients should be seen by a specialist gastroenterologist or colorectal surgeon within 24 hours of admission. They should also be transferred to a specialist ward within 2 days of admission, as this will help facilitate easier access to appropriate expertise. Unfortunately, we know from the latest Benchmarking that 42% of adult patients reported not staying on a specialist IBD ward, potentially limiting their access to specialist care.
Gastroenterology and colorectal surgical facilities should be in close proximity on a hospital site. Colorectal surgeons and theatres should also be available with an on-call service, as well as 9-5 weekdays. In case of complications and rapid deterioration, there must also be 24-hour access to intensive care facilities on site.
Access to an IBD nurse specialist can be incredibly important for patients at what is frequently an anxious time. The IBD team should be on hand for appropriate discharge planning and follow up.
An additional advantage of staying on a gastroenterology ward is that there should be better access to toilets which is a key consideration for people with IBD. This alone can make a significant difference to their inpatient experience.