Hospital launches online pre-op check
A hospital pilot project will see more patients due to have surgery attend pre-op assessment clinics remotely.
The Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust’s Innovation Panel is back in business and has made its first award, to fund the year-long scheme, since the coronavirus pandemic began.
The RUH’S Pre-op Assessment Unit ensures that patients are at their best optimum health prior to any surgery or surgical procedure.
From last week, the unit will be able to use the online Mypreop program, which allows patients to complete a comprehensive assessment of their general health and medical history from the comfort of their home. This digital report then highlights any areas of concern and helps to identify patients with conditions who will need a face-to-face consultation.
Dr Rowan Hardy, RUH Lead for Pre-operative Assessment, said: “The Mypreop system has great potential for improving patient experience and making clinics more efficient. It will reduce the number of visits that patients have to make, saving them the trouble and inconvenience of travelling, and it will release more time for nurses and doctors to spend with those patients who actually need more personal attention. If the pilot is a success it could be a great benefit for the future, not just in Pre-op but in other areas such as children’s surgery and non-theatre treatments.”
Fiona Bird and Elizabeth Poskitt, joint chairs of the Innovation Panel, said: “We’re really impressed by this project’s potential and by Rowan’s comprehensive presentation. We’re pleased to be able to support the pilot and look forward to receiving and reviewing many more such innovative ideas.”