Authors (including presenting author) :
Wong SY(1), Yung SL(1), Sin MW(1), Choi WK(1), Lo WC(1), Chiu SW(1) , Szeto L(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Department of Anaesthesia & Operating Theatre Services, Tseung Kwan O Hospital
Introduction :
Under the COVID-19 pandemic, patients’ fear and strict visiting policy have hindered patients and carers to attend consultations physically. Several researches have demonstrated that TeleHealth service prevents transmission of COVID-19 while allowing healthcare professionals to provide patient care remotely. In order to optimize patients’ condition preoperatively during the pandemic, Ambulatory Surgery Services in Tseung Kwan O Hospital pioneered the TeleHealth service: Tele-Perioperative Care Nurse Clinic (PCNT) via HA Go in April 2022. It includes preoperative patient preparation, optimization, counselling and education.
Objectives :
(i) To minimize patient’s travelling time and costs and chance of transmission of infectious diseases (ii) To reduce waiting time of clinic attendance (iii) To fully utilize hospital resources by reducing cancellation of operation due to inappropriate preoperative preparation (iv) To boost the popularity of innovative tele-medicine technology in perioperative nursing
Methodology :
A task force of PCNT was established in February 2022. With the support from Co-ordinating Committee (ANA) and Specialty Advisory Group (Peri-operative/Anaesthesiology), PCNT was set up since April 2022. A series of training materials and structural programme were designed. Clinic Nurses were well-equipped with knowledge of diseases management and teaching skills to conduct the perioperative tele-consultation.
Result & Outcome :
From April to December 2022, fifteen patients were recruited to PCNT service. After the tele-consultations, all fifteen patients were fully optimized and well prepared for the operations. They attended their operations as scheduled, and there is no cancellation. Patients and staff satisfaction surveys were conducted. All patients agreed that the tele-consultations were easy to access. They agreed that it could effectively prepare patients and carers. 93% of patients considered that tele-consultation went smoothly and allows nurses to follow up their health condition effectively and the process went smoothly. Also, the audiovisual qualities were good. Meanwhile, they were willing to participate in further tele-consultations. Overall, all patients were satisfied with the service. 66% of nurses agreed that it was easy to instruct patients to use TeleHealth via HA Go. All nurses found that they could combine nursing knowledge and experience effectively when using new technology. 92% of them reported that they had confidence to provide perioperative services to patients and carers through tele-consultation. All nurses agreed that tele-consultation could effectively achieve preoperative optimization. To conclude, tele-consultation is an effective and alternate tool to provide perioperative service during the pandemic and thereafter. It engages both patients and carers and enhances the patient experience in the perioperative journey.
