Resumen

LE ROUX, Michael L. et al. A baseline audit of post-vasectomy follow-up at three Cape Town district health facilities. SAFP [online]. 2024, vol.66, n.1, pp.1-8. ISSN 2078-6204.  https://doi.org/10.4102/safp.v66i1.6003.

BACKGROUND: Our study focuses on vasectomies, an underutilised contraception method worldwide. Little is known about post-vasectomy semen analysis (PVSA) adherence in our setting, which is an essential step in confirming the procedure's success. We aimed to describe patient adherence to post-vasectomy follow-up and the success of procedures performed by different surgeon categories at three Cape Town district health facilities METHODS: We conducted a retrospective descriptive audit. We extracted sociodemographic and procedural information from theatre records and patient folders. The PVSA results were retrieved from Groote Schuur Hospital's Reproductive Medicine Unit RESULTS: The records of 270 patients who underwent vasectomies in local district-level facilities from September 2016 to July 2021 were included. Only 122 (45.2%) semen analysis results were retrievable, of which 115 (94.2%) showed that the procedure was successful. Incomplete patient records significantly impacted the study. A data-collection instrument and implementing standardised stationery were developed, which some sites already use. These measures are designed to ensure more comprehensive datasets for future audits CONCLUSION: The study's findings have identified flaws in record-keeping practices at the three study sites, a crucial step towards improving post-vasectomy care. Tracking procedural success and patient adherence to post-vasectomy semen analyses using the implemented stationery may assist future research and help drive quality improvement projects CONTRIBUTION: This audit strengthens our understanding of improving this underutilised family planning option in the district health services. In partnership with the local teams, a revised clinical care pathway was developed to inform the delivery of an evidence-informed vasectomy service

Palabras clave : vasectomy; clinical audit; quality improvement; access to healthcare; health services delivery; clinical governance; global surgery; primary care urology.

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