title: Use of electronic pagers to recall patients undergoing outpatient-based chemotherapy.
abstract: Long waiting times while receiving chemotherapy in an outpatient setting have been identified as contributing to patient dissatisfaction and discomfort by a number of authors. Following an observation of this practice in a non-medical establishment, and as part of our service improvement program, we introduced the use of message pagers to recall patients in our chemotherapy outpatient service. We audited the impact of this intervention by means of questionnaires directed at patients and nursing staff. Our audit found that this intervention was particularly popular with female patients. Perceived benefits included more freedom of movement, less boredom, and peace of mind at being contactable. There were no reported problems with pager operation. Nursing staff were keen promoters of the pagers to patients as they felt that their use gave them more control over work intensity and less disruption from patients enquiring about remaining "waiting time". We concluded that this intervention may benefit other outpatient chemotherapy services.
authors.affiliation: Gloucestershire Oncology Centre, Cheltenham General Hospital, Cheltenham GLOS, GL53 7AL, UK. david.farrugia@glos.nhs.uk
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Farrugia
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ingledew
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dawes
authors.forename: Stasia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moss
mesh_terms: D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006747:Hospital Communication Systems / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D009731:Nursing Audit; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017748:Time Management / Q000458:organization & administration; D014850:Waiting Lists; D016526:Workload
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents