2007 Finalist
Pre-admission programme decreases theatre cancellations
An innovative rethink of the preadmission of elective gynaecological patients at Waikato Hospital has, over six months, halved the number of operations cancelled because of insufficient preoperative workup.
Previously a clerical staff member would decide which patients attended the pre-admission clinic and once there, women faced long waits to see the house surgeon scheduled to pre-admit them. Many patients left the clinic without being seen and would arrive on the day of the operation without having had a pre-operative assessment. This often meant their operations were cancelled.
Now a clinical nurse specialist reviews a health questionnaire completed by patients and asks only the high risk among them to attend the clinic. Clinical staff interview low-risk patients over the phone, give them appropriate information and send them forms for blood tests.
A nurse sees patients who attend the clinics and takes their history, orders any pre-operative investigations, plans and implements discharge requirements, delivers education and reviews bloods. This means the patient is prepared for surgery before arrival.
The new system has freed up busy house surgeons who can now spend more time in the wards. This has helped reduce the average length of stay in hospital for post-operative patients. Patients themselves are happier with the new system as they have a greater understanding of how to prepare for their operation.
Contact
Debi Whitham
Waikato DHB
021 759 592
