PRE-OPERATIVE PATIENT PACKAGE FACILITATES SURGICAL PREPAREDNESS

Abstract

A collaborative multidisciplinary team sought to improve the patient and family experience. The Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute (Maz) Cardiology Unit identified a gap in the resources provided to semi-urgent patients, as stabilized semi-urgent patients discharged home prior to cardiovascular (CV) surgery would return for their open heart surgery unprepared. In November 2014, a semi-urgent pre-operative patient package (SUPPP) was developed to support patients and staff. A checklist was designed to guide staff through preparatory tasks requiring completion prior to the patient’s discharge and patient resources developed included guidance and information supporting the CV surgery journey. To determine if the SUPPP met patient needs, interviews were conducted with patients and staff. Patients indicated that the SUPPP explained integral parts of their CV surgery and alleviated their anxiety while preparing them for surgery. Staff articulated their satisfaction indicating that patients were consistently prepared, preventing operating room delays or postponements. The Cardiology Unit participated in an innovative quality improvement project to fill a patient education gap. The team partnered to create a patient resource package and tools for staff to ensure patient preparedness. Efforts were reinforced with increased patient, family and staff satisfaction rates. This work facilitated the development of an Emergent and Urgent Pre-Operative Patient Package supporting the needs of a vulnerable surgical population. In addition, the SUPPP will be introduced to all Edmonton zone sites which decant CV Surgery patients to the Maz. This initiative resulted in enhanced quality care and an improved CV surgery patient experience.