Development of a patient-centered preprocedure program

Staff members at Blodgett Memorial Medical Center, Grand Rapids, Mich, developed and implemented a prototype for a new patient-centered preadmission testing (PAT) program. Using continuous improvement principles, an implementation team improved the existing PAT program by increasing patient satisfaction, reducing duplication of care and services, and avoiding delayed or canceled surgical procedures in the OR. The implementation team then designed a preprocedure learning process in which nurses performed patient assessments, coordinated information between departments, and made appropriate referrals.