Posted: 11/10/2007
The Operating Theatres at Wodonga Regional Health Service have introduced a new computerised preference card system as part of our risk minimisation strategies. The new system has been developed by the Operating Theatre Nursing staff and our Information Technology department. What is a preference card? A preference card is a document that details what equipment a doctor requires for each operation or procedure. This can include such items as surgical instruments, wound dressings, medications and solutions or specialist medical equipment.
The preference card system comprises of a preference card and as well as an electronic education package. The education package contains written information about surgical procedures such as a definition of the procedure and instructions for use of any specialist medical equipment such as arthroscopy cameras. There are also photos of how to arrange the equipment in the operating theatre or any unusual surgical instruments that may be used for that procedure. This will be of great benefit for nursing staff when new procedures are introduced or for staff who are new to our theatre complex.
Our new preference cards are accessed via a sharepoint on the hospitals intranet and used by nursing staff as a checklist for collecting the equipment needed for each procedure. All our Visiting Medical Practitioners have checked their preference cards to assist us in making sure all the information is accurate and up to date. This not only helps us to make sure we have everything required for each procedure but also decreases our waste/rubbish and costs as stock that is not required is not opened by mistake. The preference card is an important part of the Correct Side and Site (Time Out) procedure as per our hospital policy and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons guidelines. The cards are also signed by the doctor and a member of nursing staff to document that “Time Out” has occurred.
We are currently in the final stages of packaging the preference card system for use by other interested hospitals. If you are interested in finding out more about our innovative system please contact Lisa Allen, Nurse Unit Manager, Theatres on 02 6051 7300 or lisa.allen@wrhs.org.au
