J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6 • O U T PA T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T • 2 1
F
or patients' friends
and family mem-
bers, the surgical
process is an interminably
long, boring and possibly
nerve-wracking wait. A couple
of years ago, though, we dis-
covered that our electronic
medical records system can
help to keep them informed
and occupied throughout it.
The system we implemented
includes a patient-tracking fea-
ture, and using it doesn't add
any steps to perioperative documentation as we're already doing it. As
we record arrival, registration and surgical start times, the EMR auto-
matically populates that information into the tracker. After we discov-
ered this feature, we installed a flat-screen TV in the waiting room to
display its output. When patients arrive at the front desk, they're given a
number with which their escorts can follow their progress to PACU.
In addition to satisfying our visitors, this information keeps us
accountable. There's another TV at the nurses' station, out of patients'
view, that shows each patient's name, their physicians' names, their
expected arrival times and their registration times. We know at a
glance if they didn't show up, or how long they've been waiting up
front. If it's longer than 10 minutes, we can go out to let them know
we'll be with them shortly.
Kristin Thompson, RN, BSN, CNOR, RNFA
Riddle Surgical Center
Our
EMR
Keeps
Patients'
Escorts
in
the
Loop
WAITING
ROOM
Media, Pa.
kthompson@nueterra.org
• PATIENT TRACKING Receptionist-scheduler Ashley Pyle explains the
waiting room's patient-tracking screen to a patient's relative.
Kristin
Thompson,
RN,
BSN,
CNOR,
RNFA
