ABSTRACT
Having clear personal communication with a surgical patient's family members decreases the anxiety and increases patient and family member satisfaction. Perioperative team members at one East Coast community hospital implemented a new approach to communication in the perioperative area to address patient satisfaction after patient survey scores declined in the areas of communication and calming fears. An additional consideration was the facility's plan to move to a new facility in which the surgical department would be split across two floors. A literature review revealed that adding a surgical nurse liaison can increase patient, family member, and staff member satisfaction. The administration approved creation of the position, with duties that included managing the waiting area, facilitating interaction between physicians and patients' family members, and assisting with family visits to the perianesthesia unit. After implementation of this position, results of surveys showed increases in patient satisfaction. One year after the position was established, staff members reported they were happy with the position as well.
Subject(s)
Nurse's Role , Nurse-Patient Relations , Patient Satisfaction , Perioperative Nursing , Professional-Family Relations , Health Care Surveys , Job Satisfaction , Nursing Staff, Hospital , Program Evaluation , Visitors to PatientsABSTRACT
Vascular closure devices (VCDs) can shorten the time to hemostasis, ambulation and discharge and improve patient comfort.(1) An evidence-based practice (EBP) project was initiated to assess impact of a shortened postoperative compression and bed rest protocol on patients undergoing arteriotomy using a wire vascular closure device (WVCD). Following protocol development, a post-implementation evaluation was initiated to assess selected outcomes including compression and bed rest time, complication rate and possible related variables. Following implementation of the new protocol, clinicians were able to shorten both compression and bed rest times by 50%, and Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) length of stay decreased to a maximum of 5 hours.
