Useful information about working in Vascular Surgery
Who to call
On-call Vascular Registrar: there is a Vascular Registrar on call at all hours, contactable via the Vascular On-Call phone.
On-call Vascular Consultant: via operator – in some emergency situations when the Vascular Registrar is tied up in the operating theatre the Consultant should be contacted directly. If the Consultant is also in the operating theatre it may be necessary to physically come to the operating theatre to directly discuss your case with the Consultant.
Vascular Nurse Specialist: a useful resource who provides an ABI service and wound advice management during working hours. Another Vascular Nurse Specialist is also available during working hours to assist with the ward management of vascular surgery patients.
Outpatient referrals: send e-referral via RCP.
Critical Care Input: most major vascular surgical cases go to level 8 DCCM post-operatively as do any re-admissions.
Note: the above contact details apply to the Auckland Regional Vascular Service which is based at Auckland City Hospital and provides vascular coverage for Auckland, Waitemata, and Northland Hospitals.
Review of the vascular patient
Reviewing a vascular patient requires a structured and thorough approach, as these patients often present with complex comorbidities and higher clinical risk. This section outlines key steps in assessment, including history, examination, investigations, and ongoing management.
Reason for current admission: from the patient, clinical notes and RCP.
Useful to know about history of dementia, hospital level care, terminal malignancy.
Inspect the abdomen and limbs.
Check the blood work including FBC, coags, renal function, ensure valid Group & Hold, review medications, especially antiplatelets/anticoagulants and recent imaging.
Majority need HDU support post-op, discuss with on-call Registrar.
Always read formal radiology reports, and if any comments, bring it to the attention of Registrar/Consultant.
For any Management issues/doubts: call on-call Vascular Registrar or Consultant.
Have the clinical notes, medication charts handy and RCP open, when calling