LANDSTUHL, Germany -- Patient safety is the top priority of the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Department of Anesthesiology, but improving patient satisfaction runs a close second.
One particular area the department focused on in 2018 was the pre-surgical and anesthesia preparation period and pre-procedure unit, or PPU. Through process refinement and improved communication between both staff and patients, the PPU was able to reduce the duration of their appointments by nearly one hour, saving patients both time and confusion.
"It is our goal to constantly examine ways to improve the patient's experience while also meeting or exceeding patient care standards," said Lt. Col. Craig Budinich, chief of anesthesia nursing at LRMC.
To accomplish this, Budinich and his team implemented a screening method which allows a patient to bypass the need for a PPU appointment. Through the system referred to as 'Fast Track," the team identifies and prepares surgical patients with minor or no medical issues.
After Fast Track began, Budinich noticed a substantial decrease in actual PPU appointments; nearly 40 percent of the daily scheduled caseloads consisted of Fast Track patients.
PATIENT TIPS FOR A FASTER PRE-SURGERY PROCESS
There are several actions patients can take to help make the pre-surgery process run smoothly.
First, after surgery is the agreed on method of care, a nurse from the surgical clinic will determine if the patient is eligible for Fast Track.
If a patient is not eligible for Fast Track, or a nurse is unavailable to make that determination, the patient should coordinate with the surgery clinic to arrange for a pre-anesthesia appointment in the PPU. This appointment should be scheduled for as soon as possible so that if necessary, any additional testing can be done before surgery.
Secondly, patients should be as accurate and thorough as possible when completing the pre-anesthesia evaluation questionnaire.
"We really need for patients to be 100 percent forthcoming when completing these pre-anesthesia evaluations," said Budinich. "Sometimes what may seem like a very minor detail could be information we need to safely and accurately assess your anesthesia requirements."
Finally, to increase efficiency and reduce delays, patients are encouraged to arrive on time to scheduled PPU appointments.
"On-time appointments are critical to ensuring efficient and safe pre-surgical and anesthesia preparations," said Budinich.
The PPU is located at LRMC building 3711 on the third floor and is open from 7:30 a.m. -- 4 p.m. daily. For more information or to speak with the clinic reception, please call DSN 486-6001 or commercial 06371-86-6001.
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