5 proven ways to improve patient satisfaction in the operating room

Introduction: 

The annual number of procedures performed is astounding. Inpatient and outpatient surgical procedures totaled roughly 22 million in 2014, according to a new study funded by The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, a National Institutes of Health and Human Services division. Any surgical procedure for a patient comes with significant worry and risk. Many surgeries have a substantial risk of complications; therefore, it makes sense to assume that the stress and anxiety the patient and their family feel will be proportional.  

The sheer volume for the hospital provider offers a unique opportunity for healthcare professionals to research and enhance patterns and procedures relating to patient satisfaction in the operating room, which has a substantial impact on HCAHPS scoring. 

For instance, providing patient-centered care in the operating room is essential to a high-quality healthcare system and crucial to hospital profitability. A recent study found that more effective care and higher surgical quality were associated with American hospitals with the highest patient satisfaction scores. We must thoroughly examine the procedures these businesses use in the operating room to comprehend why some hospitals have more excellent patient satisfaction ratings.  

Here are 5 proven ways to improve patient satisfaction in the operating room: 

1) Utilize the data from big insights 

The majority of industrial sectors have embraced the use of data collection, data sharing, and data analytics, but the healthcare sector has taken much longer. 

Because of the nature of the industry, changing healthcare into a strictly data-driven culture is more challenging, which is one of the main challenges faced when using data analytics. In addition, compared to other industries, the delivery of services is much more personalized. 

The Healthcare Analytics Adoption Model, however, is one suggestion that could lead to advancements in the operating room: An evaluation methodology for the use of analytics in the industry, a road plan for businesses to track their adoption of analytics progress, and a system for assessing vendor goods. With the help of this approach, healthcare organizations can better comprehend and use analytics capabilities to raise the standard of care. 

Using analytics, a significant healthcare organization learned that patients’ main worries were: 

• Respect 
• Interaction between caregivers 
• Happy providers 

2) Take advantage of tools like eForms and eSignatures 

EMR software has generally improved diagnosis and treatment and led to fewer inaccuracies in personal health information, which is essential before scheduling a patient for surgery. EMR integration into the hospital procedural environment leads to speedier treatment and decision-making responses from the provider’s perspective, mainly when eForms and eSignatures technology is used in the process. However, informed consents, which acts as a “green light” or “red light” before all surgeries, are no exception to the rule that paper can cause havoc on any forming process. 

On the day of surgery, the paper informed consent is frequently misplaced. According to “Missing Consent Forms in the Preoperative Area” (Garonzik-Wang et al. 2013), this delays operations in 14% of cases. There is no doubt that the patient would experience additional stress due to the delay in an already trying circumstance. Additionally, the new informed consent obtained to replace the previous one is frequently hurriedly obtained. Informed consent procedures are commonly carried out by residents rather than surgeons when consents are not present when a patient first enters the hospital. 

Electronic informed consent can also be shown to the patient on a tablet, allowing them to see the entire form. The form can be quickly reviewed and electronically signed on a tablet by both patients and surgeons, improving the patient experience. These electronically signed informed consents eliminate the potential problems of misplacing paper forms. 

3) Ensuring best practices at every patient care touchpoint 

Every point of contact has the chance to either enhance or degrade the patient experience. The current healthcare system is going through a digital revolution sped up by Covid-19. Patients increasingly use digital means for information, appointment setting, and provider communication. As a result, every point along the patient journey where we interact with them is altering. 

Any patient interaction with your healthcare organization is a patient experience touchpoint. This might be done through a live service, a website, or an app. Examples comprise: 

• Making a reservation 
• Registering at the front desk 
• Asking for medical guidance 
• Arranging a test 
• Posing a query 
• Completing a questionnaire to give feedback 

The patient experience can be improved through automated patient engagement. The patient experience can be enhanced through individualized care automation technologies at several touchpoints, such as online scheduling and automatic reminders. The robust solution from Certinal supports the whole patient journey and automates hundreds of administrative chores to enable you to deliver first-rate care. 

4) Take advantage of innovative surgical technology 

The patient must go through a recovery and healing process following the surgical procedure. In general, the quantity of rehabilitation and healing the patient must go through is inversely correlated with how invasive the surgery is. Therefore, look for ways to make the operations less intrusive to shorten the time needed for recovery.  

Using robotics to aid surgeons in operating theater is one of the most significant advances in recent years. The scope of what is possible in the surgical field is entirely altered by cutting-edge technologies like Performance-Guided Surgery, where augmented intelligence and robotics-assisted technology are seamlessly integrated and embedded. The surgical industry has a bright future ahead of it as this technology develops, and it has the potential to alter the way we live. 

The basis for digital laparoscopy is expanding, and the addition of machine vision augmented intelligence. Deep learning capabilities will aid in advancing the sector past inefficiency, unpredictability, and outmoded technology. Better patient outcomes will become a reality by digitizing surgery that is smarter and more intuitive. 

5) Improve patient-provider communication 

The foundation of patient engagement is the doctor-patient relationship. Effective patient communication can help the patient feel like a valued care team member, which can increase patient satisfaction. Forging genuine relationships between patients and providers can be challenging in a sector where technology is fast taking over. Nevertheless, doctors can improve patient satisfaction and clinical results by adhering to these guidelines for provider communication. 

• Clarity on using the patient portal 
• Open communication lines using healthcare IT 
• Inclusion of patient in care coordination 
• Empathy towards patient 

Conclusion: 

Hospitals and doctors establish their reputations in the operating room, making the majority of the money that keeps them open for business and helps them fulfill their goals.  

The money generated by surgical suites is a vital funding source for other fields like chronic care, mental health, and public health. However, all the preparation for surgery won’t help patients feel more satisfied if the procedure doesn’t produce the desired results or if healing isn’t sped up. However, when operating rooms are run effectively and strategically, patient satisfaction scores are typically higher, and everyone benefits.  

Book a time with our product expert to know more about how Certinal can improve patient satisfaction in surgical suites.