› Improvements in Outpatients focus on the patient

Some new processes are underway in Christchurch Outpatients to improve the patient experience. The Outpatient team have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with 800 hours of support to other areas (including inpatient care, the Canterbury Haurora Community Hub and aged residential care. As well as this, and in a bid to recognise and value patients’ time, the team have had a focus on reducing the number of dual appointments required to meet individual healthcare needs, says Interim Nurse Manager Kimberley Manning. “This has driven our focus on reevaluating what can be achieved during their Outpatient visits and we have put in place the following practices.” › Lumbar punctures in Acute Outpatient

Neurology Clinics to assess for idiopathic intracranial hypertension (pressure inside the head that causes symptoms such as vision problems and headaches). Historically people needing this procedure would be referred on to the Medical Day Unit, however these are now done at the time of their outpatient consultation. › Introduction of pre-operative infusions/ injections. Working alongside General Surgery, the

Outpatient team can now provide pre-operative -Iron Infusions and vitamin K injections at the time of the outpatient consultation. Previously these were administered in the Medical Day Unit or on the wards. › Collaboration with General Surgery. Outpatients is working with General Surgery on complex wound dressings to reduce the need for hospital admissions.

From left, Hospital Aid Emily Sharratt and Registered Nurse Brooke MacKay setting up for a Urology Clinic on Level 4 of Christchurch Outpatients By partnering and co-ordinating with the General Surgery CNS team Outpatients can identify and provide care to patients in the Outpatient setting, such as complex wounds that would have previously required hospital admission. Outpatients has also taken delivery of new equipment for storing flexible cystoscopes and upgraded its cytoscopes. “With the introduction of these we have the ability to streamline patient flow, align with Infection Prevention & Control best practice standards and provide high-definition visualisation for exploratory and follow-up procedures,” she says. Outpatients has also finalised its Nursing Quality Plan which outlines priorities, goals and benchmarks. “Historically these measurables have had a strong focus on the inpatient setting and we’re driven to have that same standard of practice here in the outpatient setting.”