Home // International Journal On Advances in Life Sciences, volume 8, numbers 1 and 2, 2016 // View article

Electronic Communication as a Tool to Reduce Elective Surgery Cancellations A case study from Norway

Authors:
Conceição Granja
Kari Dyb
Stein Roald Bolle
Gunnar Hartvigsen

Keywords: elective surgery cancellations; pre-operative planning; electronic communication; clinical process; context-awareness

Abstract:
Surgery cancellations are undesirable in hospital settings as they increase costs, reduce productivity and efficiency, increase waiting lists, and directly affect patients. The elective surgery cancellation problem in a northern Norwegian university hospital is addressed. Based on observations and interviews conducted at the hospital, lack of information during pre-operative planning was identified as the main cause for elective surgery cancellations. The problems with the existing pre-operative process were identified, and a new process is proposed. By studying the pre-operative planning at the hospital, we have determined that part of the information flow can be moved to the patient at home through electronic communication. From the work presented herein, we conclude that the assessment information required during the pre-operative planning can be compiled in a personal health assessment questionnaire, and requested from the patient, at an earlier stage.

Pages: 16 to 25

Copyright: Copyright (c) to authors, 2016. Used with permission.

Publication date: June 30, 2016

Published in: journal

ISSN: 1942-2660