AB182. SOH25_AB_171. Implementing a virtual family history clinic in a symptomatic breast unit: a quality improvement project

Background: Women with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer are at an increased risk of developing breast cancer and may be reviewed in symptomatic breast clinics. However, only 5–10% of breast cancer cases are hereditary. Within the breast clinic of University Hospital Limerick, a virtual family history clinic was launched to manage routine family history referrals from the waiting list. This virtual family history clinic enables the safe, cost-effective delivery of high-quality patient-centred care whilst decreasing hospital footfall. We aim to demonstrate quality improvement following the establishment of the family history virtual clinic since September 2023 to evaluate any change in risk assessment for family history, patient outcome and effect on clinic capacity.

Methods: A retrospective review from September 2023 to September 2024 of the family history service using a maintained database of 233 family history referrals and family history questionnaires. The number of referrals received and risk assessment results were evaluated based on the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Guidelines (2013).

Results: Implementing virtual family history clinics has resulted in the safe discharge of population risk patients (n=48), appropriate management of moderate risk patients (n=125) who require mammography from 40–50 years then discharged to Breast-check and the follow up in clinic for high-risk patients (n=56) including BRCA carriers (n=4). The virtual clinics have saved €7,725 since March 2024.

Conclusions: Our virtual family history model represents innovative approaches to the symptomatic breast unit in healthcare delivery service, which benefits the patients and hospital. This allows delivery of a timely safe care while sustaining high standards of patient satisfaction.

Keywords: Family history; nurse led; patient outcomes; quality improvement; virtual clinic