Document resource
Objective Transient elastography is integral to hepatology clinics and portable Fibroscan machines enable service decentralisation. In National Health Service (NHS) Tayside (NHST), Hepatology outpatient services are provided at Perth Royal Infirmary (PRI) and Ninewells Hospital (NW). Historically, all Fibroscans were performed in NW. We aimed to assess the impact of the introduction of a decentralised Fibroscan service serving PRI.Methods All Fibroscans performed at PRI with a new portable Fibroscan between 8 March 2023 and 10 September 2024 were identified retrospectively. Travel distance, time and CO 2 emissions to PRI and NW were calculated for each patient. Savings, including cost, were calculated dependent on the type of clinic the patients attended (physician or nurse led).Results 489 patients underwent a Fibroscan at PRI. The total travel distance and time savings were 33 564 km (p<0.0001) and 16.1 days (p<0.0001), respectively. Reduction in travel associated emissions equated to 4929.4 kgCO 2 (p<0.0001). Fibroscans performed in physicians-led clinics at PRI resulted in a saving of 167 NW hepatology nurse clinic appointments (direct cost saving of £43 587.00). 72% of patients within the most deprived half of society (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation 1–5) who received a Fibroscan at PRI lived within 10 km of the hospital.Conclusion A decentralised Fibroscan service has resulted in substantial savings in patient travel distance, time and CO 2 footprint in NHST. This service has benefitted the most socioeconomically deprived segment of our population and cost savings from performing portable Fibroscans are appreciable. This work provides evidence for the introduction of decentralised Fibroscan services to save patient time, CO2 emissions and costly additional hospital attendances.