Lumbar puncture: low-cost interventions improve efficiency and patient experience.

We conducted an initial survey of core medical and neurology trainee doctors on consent practice in a specialist neurology hospital. Over a 2-week period, data on LPs carried out on the wards were prospectively collected. Patients rated their understanding of LP and experience of the consenting process using a visual analogue scale, where zero was ‘totally disagree’ and 10 was ‘totally agree’. Time taken to prepare equipment was recorded. An information leaflet was designed to assist in explaining the procedure to patients. Doctors were educated on best practice for gaining consent, with incorporation of instructions into the local junior doctor handbook. Stickers were designed to assist documentation of risks discussed. Regularly stocked LP trolleys containing equipment necessitated for best practice were introduced onto the wards. Patient satisfaction and equipment collection time were resurveyed over 2 weeks.