Minna M Wieck1, Blue Blake2, Chanda Sellick3, Daniel Kenron4, Daniel DeVries5, Susan Terry6, Sanjay Krishnaswami7. 1. Division of Pediatric Surgery, Doernbecher Children's Hospital, Oregon Health Science University, Portland, OR, USA. Electronic address: wieck@ohsu.edu. 2. Division of Pediatric Surgery, Doernbecher Children's Hospital, Oregon Health Science University, Portland, OR, USA. Electronic address: blakeb@ohsu.edu. 3. Division of Pediatric Surgery, Doernbecher Children's Hospital, Oregon Health Science University, Portland, OR, USA. Electronic address: sellick@ohsu.edu. 4. Division of Pediatric Surgery, Doernbecher Children's Hospital, Oregon Health Science University, Portland, OR, USA. Electronic address: kenron@ohsu.edu. 5. Division of Pediatric Surgery, Doernbecher Children's Hospital, Oregon Health Science University, Portland, OR, USA. Electronic address: devries@ohsu.edu. 6. Division of Pediatric Surgery, Doernbecher Children's Hospital, Oregon Health Science University, Portland, OR, USA. Electronic address: terrys@ohsu.edu. 7. Division of Pediatric Surgery, Doernbecher Children's Hospital, Oregon Health Science University, Portland, OR, USA. Electronic address: krishnas@ohsu.edu.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To create and assess satisfaction with an electronic-medical-record (EMR) integrated communication system designed to optimize perioperative communication with families. METHODS: We built a tool in the EMR's intraoperative nursing navigation screen for sending customized or standardized text pages to families in English or Spanish. Preoperatively, families were given text pagers with instructions and a hospital map to facilitate leaving the waiting area. After 6 months, Press-Ganey™ data and internal surveys from randomly selected families, and all nurses and surgeons were analyzed for satisfaction and effectiveness. RESULTS: Press-Ganey™ data demonstrated 30% improvement in patient satisfaction (p < 0.05). Among families, > 90% indicated pagers were easy to use and provided the desired information during surgery. Of nurses, >90% found the system easy to use and believed it improved families' experience. All surgeons reported improved intraoperative communication and ease of finding families postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Perioperative family communication via EMR-integrated text improves efficiency and family, nurse, and surgeon satisfaction.
PURPOSE: To create and assess satisfaction with an electronic-medical-record (EMR) integrated communication system designed to optimize perioperative communication with families. METHODS: We built a tool in the EMR's intraoperative nursing navigation screen for sending customized or standardized text pages to families in English or Spanish. Preoperatively, families were given text pagers with instructions and a hospital map to facilitate leaving the waiting area. After 6 months, Press-Ganey™ data and internal surveys from randomly selected families, and all nurses and surgeons were analyzed for satisfaction and effectiveness. RESULTS: Press-Ganey™ data demonstrated 30% improvement in patient satisfaction (p < 0.05). Among families, > 90% indicated pagers were easy to use and provided the desired information during surgery. Of nurses, >90% found the system easy to use and believed it improved families' experience. All surgeons reported improved intraoperative communication and ease of finding families postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Perioperative family communication via EMR-integrated text improves efficiency and family, nurse, and surgeon satisfaction.