Background: As a result of surgical sub-specialisation, mastitis and breast abscess may be managed with unnecessary hospitalisation, prolonged admission, variable antibiotic prescribing, incision and drainage rather than aspiration, and loss to follow-up.
Objective: To evaluate a ‘best-practice’ algorithm to improve management across a multi-site NHS Trust; focusing on uniformity of antibiotic prescribing, ultrasound assessment, admission rates, length of stay, intervention by aspiration or incision and drainage, and follow-up.
Methods: Management was initially evaluated in a retrospective cohort (Phase-I: “PRE-pathway”, n=53) and subsequently compared to two prospective cohorts (Phase II and III = “POST-pathway”, n=141), one immediately following pathway introduction (Phase II n=61), and a further loop-closing audit (Phase-III, n=80) to assess sustainability of quality improvements.
Results: The management pathway and referral proforma improved compliance with antibiotic guidelines (Pre=34.0% vs. Post=58.2%, p<0.01), which was maintained (Phase-II=54.1% vs. III=61.3%, p=0.68) and sustainably increased ultrasound assessment (Pre=37.7% vs. Post=77.3%, p<0.001; Phase-II=75.4% vs. III=78.8%, p=0.89). Reductions in rates of incision and drainage (Pre=7.5% vs. Post=0.7%, p<0.01) were maintained (Phase-II=0% vs. III=1.3%, p=0.38), and follow-up consistently improved (Pre=43.4% vs. Post=95.7%, p<0.001; Phase-II=91.8% vs. III=98.8%, p=0.12). Reduced hospital admission (Pre=30.2% vs. Post=20.6%, p=0.25) and median length of stay [Pre=2 days (range=1-5) vs. Post=1 day (range=1-6), p=0.07] were not statistically significant.