Benefits 'v' Barriers

The following table outlines the main benefits and common barriers identified during this NTAC project by members of the project teams at the NTAC project implementation sites. Although these examples are by no means exhaustive, this table aims to provide a succinct overview from our experiences.

They have been categorised by patient, commissioner, clinical and Trust/Service Managers.

Perceived financial barriers that were mapped out at the very beginning of the project, may also be relevant to future implementation Trusts. This list is not exhaustive and a more accurate breakdown of costs associated with implementation of the technology can be found in the business care section of this How to Why to Guide.

Our Who Benefits Guide gives an essential overview of the benefits that can be achieved.

Patients

	Benefits of non-invasive bladder analysis	Barriers to implementation of non-invasive bladder analysis
Patients Male patients complaining of voiding symptoms	Non-invasive diagnostic test Avoids the risk of catheter related urinary tract infections Reduced embarrassment and discomfort compared to invasive urodynamics Shorter diagnostic pathway	Lack of information available to patients Lack of choice between invasive and non invasive investigations There are a small proportion of men who cannot complete the test successfully Invasive urodynamics may be needed if cuff test result is not classified obstructed No information on how the bladder fills with urine
Clinical Staff	Test quick and simple to perform Less patient morbidity Training requirements needed to use the penile cuff machine are straight forward Test results are easy to interpret May be used to assess patients who are difficult to catheterise	Lack of knowledge about the new technology Diagnostics algorithms Resistance to re-training required to use the new technique Diagnostics algorithms needed to take into consideration those patients not classified as obstructed Fear and lack of knowledge associated with developing a business case
Service/Trust Managers	Cost savings generated by reducing the number of invasive pressure flow studies performed Inexpensive diagnostic test Reduced post-procedure complications Improved risk management Greater productivity with increased patient episodes	Budget prioritisation Increasing productivity to realise economic benefits Some service redesign would be necessary to implement the new technology
Influential/Other key stakeholders Department of health NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement	Reduced number of ineffective operations for presumed bladder outlet obstruction Improved patient outcomes Enhanced patient experience Improved capacity and demand management	Capital investment Risk of trusts performing additional activity Lack of direction from professional bodies (BAUS, ICS, UKCS)