Heartbeat: Faster treatment for short stay surgery

April 26, 2019

In June 2018, the adult surgical unit introduced a new 23 hour stay service for patients undergoing short stay surgery.

Previously, there wasn’t a dedicated area for those needing to stay the night or an even shorter stay after surgery.

Recognising the need to improve the patient journey, the adult surgical unit worked closely with the planned admissions unit to identify patients suitable for transfer, who required an overnight stay. Along with patients directly booked with the adult surgical unit, it was acknowledged that a high number of patients would benefit from a new short stay unit.

Since it’s been established, the adult surgical unit is being increasingly utilised and the unit is working closely with multi-disciplinary teams to develop more specialities into short stay surgery, to expand the 23 hour model.

The result has reduced length of stay for patients post-operatively and a reduced elective waiting list for surgery.

Senior Sister at the adult surgical unit, Kayleigh Jepson says: “Due to the new 23 hour stay service, which provides 28 beds including a maximum of 12 beds used overnight, operations are no longer being cancelled. Also, unless they are unwell, patients are not being taken elsewhere in the hospital after surgery, which improves their patient journey.”

She continues: “Our team have been central to making the 23 hour stay service work so well, as they’ve adapted their working schedules to meet the needs of the service.”