Applying a Human Factors Approach to Improve Patient Experience with Sacral Neuromodulation

To apply a human factors approach, the study of interactions between humans and complex systems, to investigate patient preparedness, satisfaction, and perceived usability with sacral neuromodulation (SNM) and develop interventions aimed at improving patient experience.

Ten patients with overactive bladder undergoing staged SNM were observed, and data including pre-operative preparedness, satisfaction, perceived usability and barriers impacting patient experience were collected. Interventions were developed and an additional ten patients were observed. All patients were English-speaking and at least 18 years of age.

Pre-intervention patients had difficulty understanding the risks of the procedure, did not know what to expect post-operatively and were unsatisfied with pre-operative materials. Interventions included: A pre-procedure educational video and informational sheet, detailed discharge instructions; and a nursing inservice. Pre-operative preparedness (Stage I: U = 100, z = 3.785, P = .000; Stage II: U = 80, z = 2.864, P = .003), post-operative satisfaction (Stage I: U = 100, z = 3.788, P = .000; Stage II: U = 77.5, z = 2.665, P = .006.) and perceptions of usability (Stage I: U = 77.00, z = 2.056, P = .043.; Stage II: U = 80.50, z = 2.308, P = .019) increased significantly after the intervention.

Our observations highlight the value of implementing a human factors approach to identify and mitigate barriers impacting patient experiences with SNM. Through the implementation of systems-level interventions (ie, interventions that impact the non-clinical aspects of surgery such as patient and/or staff education), significant improvements can be made.