The changing face of surgery: using systematic reviews.
Three systematic reviews relating to pre-admission procedures, admission procedures and staffing policies were undertaken to establish evidence to develop best practice guidelines for day surgery units. Results revealed that a pre-admission intervention can improve patient and surgery outcomes, although the most effective type of intervention should be further investigated. It was also found that distraction can reduce patient preoperative anxiety, and there is no high quality evidence relating skill mix, staffing levels and desired health outcomes in day surgery units. Recommendations for areas of future research are presented.
Richardson-Tench
Marilyn
M
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Victoria University, St Albans, Australia.
Pearson
Alan
A
Birks
Michelle
M
D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D015401:Nursing Administration Research; D010343:Patient Admission; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing