Pre-Opt Room Safety

Across America, outpatient surgical centers help thousands of people every day. From simple surgeries to complex reconstructions, patients rely on these facilities for quality and safe care. However, the policies vary from center to center and for some, they fall short of expectations. To ensure patient safety and decrease the risk of hospital acquired infections, the facility must embrace a policy of change. This policy will encompass multiple stakeholders, create a safer environment, and through a strategic plan, be implemented. This policy is that the patient must change into their surgical gown in their designated surgical areas. They can no longer change in the bathroom facilities. This elimination will prevent possible contamination …show more content…
Patient’s safety is a top priority. Having them change in a restroom can lead to contamination of their surgical clothes. While this does not guarantee a hospital acquired infection will occur, taking the unnecessary risk is futile. Patient’s will be put at ease knowing their surgical clothes are clean and sterile. The pre-opt team needs to ask the patient if they have to use the bathroom facilities prior to changing. Additionally, the onsite manager needs to ensure that every pre-opt station is equipped with the proper curtain to allow them to change in privacy. This policy isn’t a significant change and staff members should welcome it with appreciation and acceptance. None of the stakeholders should attempt to block it. Individual work load doesn’t change. They still have to prepare the clothing, only in the pre-opt space instead of the restroom. Asking an individual if they need to use the facilities is only a new concept to male patients. Woman patients are required to do a pregnancy test before surgery, resulting in them having to use the restroom. Financial stakeholders of the hospital will agree this policy is best because it will eliminate possible liability, lawsuits, and bad reviews. These can be detrimental to a facility’s