Why is it important?
Delays in surgical treatment have serious consequences on a patient’s safety and wellbeing. Not only can they create increased anxiety and poorer quality of life, prolonged delays can result in disease progression and complications, leading to the need for emergency surgery. We know that emergency surgery carries significantly more risks than planned operations, with morbidity and mortality five to ten times greater.
We know that emergency surgery carries significantly more risks than planned operations, with morbidity and mortality five to ten times greater.1 In emergency surgery for Crohn’s Disease, the cumulative bowel loss can be greater, and the need for open (rather than minimally invasive) surgery and stomas is also increased.2 It is therefore crucial that any such instances – where delays in elective surgery have resulted in emergency surgery – should be recorded and actioned as serious safety incidents. This is in line with the latest recommendations from the 2023 NCEPOD review of care received by patients undergoing surgery for Crohn’s disease.
Audits should also be undertaken to monitor patient safety, with appropriate actions taken to make required improvements.