New quality improvement initiative introduced at Macclesfield Hospital’s Endoscopy unit

East Cheshire NHS Trust has received funding from the Cheshire and Merseyside Endoscopy network to implement a new quality improvement initiative for patients who are booked in for endoscopy treatments at Macclesfield Hospital.

The initiative will see the introduction of a new digital pre-operative system which will improve the support patients receive before they come in for a procedure.

Patients who are booked in will now receive a text message prior to their appointment with a link to an online pre-operative questionnaire. Their responses will flag any interventions which the clinical team may need to take, so that the patient is fully prepared when they attend hospital on the day of their procedure. For example, patients who may require a blood test would be asked to come in before their endoscopy procedure so that it does not have to be carried out on the same day.

This improvement initiative will reduce the likelihood of delays to procedures, potential for cancellation and will support with management of pre-existing health conditions.

Vicky Bond, General Manager for Clinical Support Services at East Cheshire NHS Trust said, “In the past we have encountered delays or even had to cancel endoscopy procedures as our patients required prior intervention. This system will help streamline our patient care pathways and ensure that interventions are managed or advice provided before the day of the appointment.”

The new system will be implemented with immediate effect and the Trust would like to make patients aware that they will receive an authentic text message from Gov.notify, asking them to complete the questionnaire.

Clinical teams will continue to carry out face to face pre-operative questionnaires with patients who do not have access to a mobile device and are therefore unable to complete it beforehand.

ENDS