may help to reduce the risk of post-op infection, getting patients to comply isn't
always easy. Regions Hospital makes it simpler to follow pre-op bathing instruc-
tions by providing the materials the patient needs to prep for surgery.
Nurses sit with patients during their pre-op visit to thoroughly explain the
directions for pre-op bathing and why it's important to follow through. Patients
are also given detailed written instructions, as well as a few bottles of chlorhexi-
dine gluconate (CHG) cleanser to use before their operations. Experts say that
providing the pre-op bathing materials needed in a convenient way — many
facilities swear by all-in-one pre-op bathing kits — can improve your patients'
compliance.
5
High-tech communication
Communication between patients and your facility is a crucial factor in
how pleasant the pre-op process will be. To make it a little easier, many
facilities are now turning to the Internet and mobile devices.
Regions Hospital is finishing filming videos for the hospital's website that
detail what to expect during surgery, says Dr. Carlson. The hope is that the
videos re-instill information that may be "coming all at once" at patients, he
says. Patients first learn about their procedure in pre-op visits, and can then
watch the videos at home and even on the day of surgery using their smart-
phones or computers stationed around the waiting area, he says.
Other apps for smartphones and tablets also focus on improving patient
communication and compliance. Some let surgeons show patients each step
of their procedures, while others let facilities send reminders about appoint-
ments or pre-op instructions through apps that patients download for free.
These apps can be especially helpful for procedures, such as colonoscopies,
where patients are asked to follow a strict pre-op process, experts say.
By using these technologies, your patients will arrive more pleasant, comfort-
able and ready for surgery — and may even have better outcomes.
OSM
January 2015 O U T PAT I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T 3 9
Email kgapinski@outpatientsurgery.net.
