Direct Access Minor Surgery service--patient satisfaction and effectiveness

Area of Science:

• Surgical Services Management
• Patient Pathway Optimization
• Ambulatory Care Innovation

Background:

• National Health Service faces significant challenges with surgical outpatient and elective operation waiting lists.
• A Direct Access Minor Surgery program was implemented in an ambulatory setting to expedite patient treatment.
• Assessing patient response and service impact is crucial for healthcare system improvement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate patient satisfaction with a Direct Access Minor Surgery program.
• To assess the impact of the service on waiting times and healthcare resources.
• To analyze the appropriateness of referrals within the new surgical access model.

Main Methods:

• A postal questionnaire was administered to patients undergoing Direct Access Minor Surgery over 20 months.
• Data collected included patient perceptions of direct attendance, waiting times, and pre-operative information.
• Analysis encompassed patient satisfaction scores, inappropriate referral rates, and effects on waiting lists and resource availability.

Main Results:

• 91% of surveyed patients reported high overall satisfaction with the Direct Access Minor Surgery service.
• 75% of patients found direct attendance appropriate, and 83% deemed waiting times acceptable.
• The program reduced average waiting times for minor surgery from 53 to 10 weeks, freeing up outpatient slots.

Conclusions:

• Direct Access Minor Surgery is a safe and effective model for improving patient care.
• The service demonstrates high levels of patient satisfaction and acceptance.
• Implementation leads to significant reductions in waiting times and enhances operational efficiency.