Lehigh Valley Health Network s Cedar Crest facility
Anyone who has experienced a family member or friend going to the hospital for surgery knows how hard it is to wait for that loved one to return from the operating room.
THE PROBLEM
Waiting and wondering can cause high levels of stress. All too often, there are few or no updates from nurses and doctors on the status of the procedure until it s over – which can be hours. The lack of communication can cause worry and anxiety, which can negatively impact the patient and family experience. Because patients and families have a choice of healthcare providers and where they elect to have surgery, it is important to provide high-level service as well as high-quality care, said Hope Johnson, RN, administrator of perioperative services at Pennsylvania s Lehigh Valley Health Network. With a focus on improving the healthcare experience, we wanted to improve communication and engagement with patients and families.