Nurse-run preanaesthesia assessment clinics: an initiative towards improving the quality of perioperative care at the Hospital

Abstract

Implementing nurse-led preoperative assessments has become a standard practice in ambulatory surgery settings. However, in the Middle East, this practice is relatively new and requires careful planning and preparation. This audit aims to evaluate the feasibility and quality of preoperative assessments conducted by specially trained nurses, assess patient and nurse satisfaction, and evaluate overall perioperative quality of recovery.

Methods: Nurses underwent selection and training through an accredited program. Following this, a 3-month implementation period allowed nurses to gain experience in conducting preoperative assessments. A four-step audit was then conducted to evaluate the quality of preassessment, patient satisfaction, quality of recovery, and any adverse events. Additionally, nurses' satisfaction with their advanced role was monitored.

Results: The quality of preoperative assessments by specially trained nurses showed high compliance, with 95% adherence to accepted standards. Patient satisfaction surveys, involving 152 patients, indicated that all patients were either highly satisfied or satisfied with the nurse-led service. Nurses expressed high levels of satisfaction and felt valued in their roles. Postoperative follow-up via telephone calls with ambulatory care patients revealed high levels of satisfaction. No major or minor adverse events were reported.

Conclusion: Specially trained nurses demonstrated high-quality preoperative assessments without adverse events, and both patient and staff satisfaction levels were very high. Future research will focus on strategies to reduce surgery cancellation rates, evaluate the cost-effectiveness of this approach, and provide specialized training for nurses conducting pediatric preoperative assessments. This model of care may pave the way for additional nurse-led care models in the Middle East.