Led by Dr Amy Thomas and Nurse Manager Louise Price, the introduction of a digital questionnaire has allowed the team to see more patients safely and efficiently.
Previously, every patient needing an orthopaedic procedure under local anaesthetic had to visit the hospital and be checked by a nurse. Now, patients can answer health questions at home using their phone or tablet.
Thanks to the digital questionnaire, one nurse can now process hundreds of patients each month instead of just 84. This new system means patients can be approved for surgery faster.
The Trust has also been able to improve its efficiency across operating theatres. If a surgery slot becomes available at short notice, there is a list of patients who have been approved for their procedure, allowing the theatre teams to keep the surgical schedule on track.
Patients who are unable to use digital technology or who have complex health conditions, like diabetes or heart disease, will continue to be seen in person to make sure it is safe for them to have surgery.
Recently, the team’s success was celebrated at the British Society of Orthopaedic Anaesthetists annual meeting where they won a prize for their work and received praised for making care more efficient and safer.
Sally Killgariff, Chief Operating Officer, said: “We are proud of our Pre-Op Assessment team. Their results show how beneficial it is to transform services from analogue to digital and highlight the continued impact on patients. By automating routine steps safely, we are allowing our skilled nurses to spend more time with those who need extra care.”