Examples

Fit For Cardiac Surgery Clinic: explaining to patients what is planned and why improves their health care

A nurse Consultant in Cardiac Care was concerned that because out-patient appointments with the surgeons are only 15 minutes long, some patients were admitted for their surgery feeling unprepared for what was going to happen.

The nurse introduced a Fit For Cardiac Surgery clinic. She phones patients and offers them an hour-long appointment. Patients are invited to bring a friend or relative with them. At the clinic she goes through the surgeon’s letter to the referring doctor and explains what is planned and why. This patients’ consent to surgery is much better informed. She takes their blood samples and swabs, explaining why these are being done, and discusses diet and smoking and other aspects of health. There is plenty of time for questions. She gives them her card and phone number so that they can call back with the questions they think of after they have gone home.

"I can give patients who are stopping smoking regular phone support."

She is auditing the clinic so that it can be changed to meet patients’ needs better.