Doha: An innovative new clinic at Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Ambulatory Care Center (ACC) has resulted in improved patient experience and operational efficiency. The ACC is home to Qatar’s first nurse-run pre-anesthesia clinic and the initiative is being credited with improving how patients feel about having to undergo surgery.
In recent years, pre-admission anesthesia clinics, commonly known as PAACs, have gained in popularity and have been implemented to improve the experience of patients. The clinics have been shown to help reduce the risk of surgery as well as the anxiety levels of patients by allowing them to better understand the pathway, anesthesia and procedure they will undergo.
During their visit to the clinic, patients undergo a thorough medical evaluation to ensure they are ready to proceed with their planned procedure or surgery. The appointment, which is normally scheduled a month before the surgery date, is used to conduct an assessment of the patient and to inform him or her of any special steps that should be taken before their procedure, such as fasting or taking new medication or even stopping some medication during the time of surgery.
Dr. Khalid Al Jalham, Director of the ACC, said a major positive outcome of the new clinic is a more effective use of hospital resources.
“The pre-anesthesia clinic provides comprehensive pre-anesthesia patient evaluations, information, and patient education. Our highly-qualified nurses are well poised to provide each patient with detailed information about the anesthetic process. Working under the direct supervision of an anesthesiologist, they also assess patients to ensure their overall medical condition is the best it can be prior to encountering the stresses of anesthesia and surgery,” said Dr. Al Jalham.
He said the clinic has also resulted in anesthesiologists having more available time to spend with patients who have more complicated care needs. Dr. Al Jalham added that the initiative, which was recently recognized with the Managing Director’s Special Award and a Star of Excellence at the ceremony for HMC’s annual Stars of Excellence employee awards program, has improved the preoperative experience of patients by coordinating surgical, anesthesia, nursing, and laboratory care.
“We are extremely proud of the team for winning this award out of more than 508 submissions this year. On behalf of the leadership team at the ACC, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to everyone involved in setting up Qatar’s first Nurse-Run Pre-Anesthesia Clinic. This award is an important and much-appreciated gesture from our leaders who are continuously encouraging us to deliver the best possible care,” added Dr. Al Jalham.
Professor Abraham Marcus, Chairman, Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care Unit and Perioperative Medicine at HMC noted that the new clinic is helping ensure patients are fully prepared for their surgery or procedure. He says this has resulted in an improved patient experience by allowing nursing staff to create a positive rapport with patients and their families, which he says can help allay anxiety.
“This new clinic has led to a significant improvement in how our patients feel about their upcoming surgery, including a reduction in anxiety levels as well as an improved understanding of the procedure they would be undergoing. The establishment of a ‘one-stop’ clinical model where patients are able to see the surgeon, anesthetist, and phlebotomist on the same day, is an example of one of the initiatives which has contributed to such an improvement in patient experience,” said Professor Marcus.
