Morgan D J, Blackburn M, Bax M
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK.
Postgrad Med J. 1995 Jan;71(831):17-21. doi: 10.1136/pgmj.71.831.17.
Recent advances in medical technology enable many children with complex disabilities to survive into adulthood and to have certain expectations of life. One of these expectations is the continuity of specialist health care in an adult setting. This paper describes a new out-patient service which aims to provide optimum care, continuity and consistency of service for adults with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus. The need for specialist health input into this service, in order to monitor the neurological, urological and psychosocial complications often associated with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus is recognised. In one year (1992), 86 young adults with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus attended for annual or more frequent assessment, either independently or with their families or carers. A variety of health and social problems were treated. In response to demand, a multi-disciplinary assessment unit, which includes the services of both medical and nursing specialists, occupational and physiotherapists, psychologists and access to specialist surgical opinions has recently opened at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. This new service attempts to meet some of the needs described in the outpatient audit. Adults with other disabilities are requesting to use this service. A longitudinal study to monitor quality, and outcome is indicated from this initial survey.
医学技术的最新进展使许多患有复杂残疾的儿童能够存活至成年，并对生活有一定的期望。其中一个期望是在成人环境中获得持续的专科医疗保健。本文描述了一项新的门诊服务，旨在为患有脊柱裂和/或脑积水的成年人提供最佳护理、服务的连续性和一致性。人们认识到，为这项服务提供专科医疗投入的必要性，以便监测通常与脊柱裂和/或脑积水相关的神经、泌尿和心理社会并发症。在1992年的一年时间里，86名患有脊柱裂和/或脑积水的年轻人独立或与家人或护理人员一起前来接受年度或更频繁的评估。治疗了各种健康和社会问题。应需求，一个多学科评估单元最近在切尔西和威斯敏斯特医院开业，该单元包括医学和护理专家、职业和物理治疗师、心理学家的服务，并可获得专科手术意见。这项新服务试图满足门诊审计中描述的一些需求。患有其他残疾的成年人也要求使用这项服务。从这项初步调查可以看出，需要进行一项纵向研究来监测质量和结果。
