Setting up pre-admission visits for children undergoing day surgery: a practice development initiative

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Child Psychology
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Hospitalization can cause significant distress in children.
• Pre-operative preparation is linked to improved surgical outcomes and reduced negative emotional responses.
• Existing literature supports the benefits of preparing children for surgical procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the establishment of a pre-admission program for pediatric day case surgery.
• To provide a detailed framework for implementing similar programs.
• To enhance the hospital experience for children undergoing surgery.

Main Methods:

• Development of a comprehensive pre-admission program.
• Inclusion of both children and their parents in the preparation process.
• Focus on day case surgery patients.

Main Results:

• Successful establishment of a pre-admission program.
• Facilitation of a smoother transition to surgery for pediatric patients.
• Potential for reduced anxiety and improved post-operative recovery.

Conclusions:

• Pre-admission programs are effective in preparing children and families for day case surgery.
• Implementing such programs can positively impact the pediatric surgical experience.
• This detailed description serves as a guide for healthcare providers.