Preoperative nurses at the University of North Carolina Health Care ambulatory surgical center decreased the daily cancellation rate by 53 percent, increased patient satisfaction scores and increased operating room use by calling patients three business days before the scheduled surgery.
During the phone call, the nurses gave patients important preoperative information and addressed questions and concerns. The nurses then related any new information learned from the call to the scheduling clinic, anesthesia team or surgeon. Cancellations due to no shows, NPO requirements and lack of a responsible adult to drive the patient home were decreased due to the calls.
Read the AORN Journal abstract about OR cancellation rates.
Related Articles on OR Efficiency:
Georgia’s Memorial University Medical Center Receives $42,000 to Improve OR
6 Steps to Ensure Operating Room Safety and Efficiency
Joint Commission, Hospitals and ASCs Address Causes of Wrong-Site Surgeries
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