Patients’ recovery times and discharge schedules differ from case to case, of course, but perioperative processes that save a minute here and a minute there can smooth their way to the door.
"In recovery, we have the family member wait in an extra chair next to the recliner where the patient will return," says Linda Jenkins, BSN, MSA, administrator of the Truvista Surgery Center in Troy, Mich. "This helps us save time in getting the family for the doctor to speak with, and also helps the recovery nurse in delivering discharge instructions more efficiently for a quicker discharge."
For more advice on reducing turnaround times, see "7 Top Tips for Fast-Tracking" from OSM’s August issue.
—David Bernard
