Point of Care (PoC) ultrasound and the introduction of the HEAD-US protocol across the South Thames Haemophilia Network

The goal of this service development exercise is to embed the use of the Early Arthropathy Detection with Ultrasound (HEAD-US) protocol in the assessment process of severe and moderate patients with haemophilia (PWH) within the South Thames Haemophilia Network (STHN). The project can be defined as a quality improvement programme. The methodology is pragmatic and supportive in design. It includes a series of interventions designed to address the barriers that prevent a network introduction. Individual interventions include strategies to raise awareness of the value of HEAD-US, provide technical support and training, introduce a governance framework and provide short-term material support in the form of US machines.  The project will be evaluated through site-specific audits against a set of service standards.  The minimum service standards will state that  seventy five percent of severe and moderate PWH over the age of five should be assessed using the HEAD-US within a calendar year by a competent HEAD-US trained clinician.  The audit will also report on the impact of HEAD-US on patient management and evaluate patient satisfaction/dissatisfaction with the introduction of the HEAD-US protocol.