Evaluating Enhancements to a Perioperative Nurse Liaison Program

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Surgical Care
• Patient Communication

Background:

• Family anxiety is common during patient surgery.
• Effective communication between perioperative teams and families is crucial.
• Existing communication gaps can increase family stress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement and evaluate a perioperative nurse liaison (PNL) program.
• To reduce family anxiety by enhancing communication during surgical procedures.
• To provide support to families and surgeons during postoperative consultations, particularly for unexpected findings.

Main Methods:

• A quality improvement project was initiated at a cancer center.
• Process changes were implemented to increase family contact.
• Program effectiveness was evaluated via surveys for families post-consultation.

Main Results:

• Families reported reduced stress and anxiety with intraoperative updates (in-person or phone).
• PNL presence during postoperative consults improved family support for unexpected findings.
• Family contact with PNLs increased from 77% to 98%.
• PNL involvement in surgical consults doubled from 254 to 500 annually.

Conclusions:

• The PNL program effectively reduces family anxiety and stress.
• Improved communication and support during surgical care enhance the family experience.
• The PNL program is a valuable addition to perioperative care in a cancer center setting.