365 Arrival to Decision: Improving Waiting Times in Surgical Ambulatory Care

Abstract Introduction An audit of the newly established Surgical Emergency Ambulatory Care Unit (SEAC) at Furness General Hospital found perceived patient waiting times were high. This Quality Improvement Project assessed flow through SEAC unit and aimed to improve average time from arrival in department senior review by 10%. Method The Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) methodology for quality improvement was used, decision recorded each seen over one-week data collection periods. Analysis allowed a process map be created visualise bottlenecks flow. findings discussed with all team members an agreed intervention implemented tested. Results Over three PDSA cycles, significant overall achieved, 193 minutes 150 minutes. achieved introducing referral form, which altered how when multidisciplinary communicated other. Conclusions Clear communication appropriate between significantly improved decision.