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3. The Patients' Perspective
Anaesthetists, as all clinicians, are particularly concerned with safety, efficiency and
good practice. It is important to note and respond to the concerns of patients. Data
from ‘Had an operation?' the NHS Modernisation Agency’s Theatre Project pilot
questionnaire to patients, show that patients principally want short waiting times and
to have the operation on the agreed date. They would also like the following:-
- Choice of dates for operation
- Choice of transport to theatre where clinically appropriate
- Provision of a new date immediately if an operation is cancelled
- Provision of written documentation to explain procedure and process
- Staff to greet and introduce themselves to patient and explain what they are doing
- Adequate time to read consent forms and opportunity to ask questions
- Privacy for discussions with medical and nursing staff
- Information about treatment of any postoperative pain and sickness, anticipated progress and what to expect following discharge home
- A name to contact if they experience any problems following discharge
4. Planning the Patients' Pathway.
- A significant non-clinical reason for cancellation of elective surgery is the
unavailability of beds [1]. In-patient surgical beds often become available later in
the morning as patients are discharged and can be utilised if patients are either
admitted to a pre-operative unit or transferred to a discharge lounge postoperatively.
- Efficiency can be improved by admitting all patients to a pre-operative preparation
area on the day of surgery [2]. This can be integrated with pre-operative assessment
and day case recovery areas adjacent to theatres to provide an efficient use of
space and skilled staff, and facilitate transport to and from theatre.
- These units should be designed with due regard to the patients' perspective in
section 3 e.g. privacy.
- If there are no beds, patients should be contacted by telephone in good time to
prevent an unnecessary journey and the patient must be offered another binding
date within a maximum of the next 28 days
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