15 November 2017 marked a milestone as
the 1000th patient was welcomed through the
Surgery Admissions Unit in the Ulster Hospital.
Since April 2017 we have enabled patients to be
admitted on the morning of surgery, rather than
the day before. This new way of working for the
Trust saves bed days and enhances the patient's
experience.
Prior to opening the unit 25% of surgical
inpatients were admitted on the day of their
surgery, now over 54% of patients are admitted
on the day.
This initiative has been a team effort, involving
changes for many staff including administration
staff, pre-assessment, theatres, recovery, patient
experience, medical and nursing staff.
When patients arrive to the Surgical Admissions
Unit they are assessed by the nurse and
reviewed by the Medical and Anaesthetic Team.
Patients are then prepared for theatre and
escorted to theatre from this unit, with onward
transfer to an Inpatient Ward after their operation
or procedure. Some patients return back to the
Admission Unit if the doctor feels they will be
able to go home in the evening, hence avoiding
an admission to the Inpatient Ward Block.
Day Of Surgery Admission Unit
This is a new way of working for planned
surgical patients at the Ulster Hospital, however
many other hospitals throughout the UK
and Northern Ireland are already using this
admission process. Feedback from both staff
and patients has been very positive in these
early days.
One patient stated that she was pleased to
be admitted on the morning of her surgery as
it meant she could attend her child's school
concert the night before and sleep in her own
bed before admission.
Doctors have commented that having all pre
op patients in the same place can improve
workflow on theatre days.
Pam Graham, Ward Sister in the Day of
Surgical Admission Ward has stated that her
nursing team is keen to improve their ways of
working and the staff continue to seek patient
feedback on a regular basis.
Pam is very grateful for all the assistance from
other departments whose work enables them to
be more efficient each day.
Sister Pam Graham: Deputy Sister
Andrea Kearns; Staff Nurses
Allison Cromie; Carole Anderson;
Rachel McLaughlin; Joyce Smith;
Nicola Kozak; Senior Healthcare
Assistants Natalie Shanks; Mandy
Andrews.
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