The preadmission packet: a strategy that benefits patients and nurses during the admission process.

At Baylor Jack and Jane Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital, we developed a preadmission packet that is given to patients before their procedure date, enabling them to complete much of their paperwork in advance. The results of our subsequent study revealed that nurses save time during the assessment interview when patients arrive at the hospital with their admission database forms completed. In a busy facility with a large number of patients admitted daily, the nursing time saved can translate into a substantial economic benefit. Even more important, however, is the benefit to patients, who feel less rushed and provide a more thorough and accurate medical history when they can fill out the admission database form at home.