Ideas That Work: Invest in Patient Education

Practical pearls from your colleagues

A lot is riding on adequately preparing patients for their upcoming surgeries — especially when you’re working with pediatric patients. That’s why it pays dividends to invest in supplemental educational materials that reinforce everything you tell patients and their caregivers during their pre-op visit.

Hunterdon Center for Surgery in Flemington, N.J., recently developed a trifold brochure for pediatric patients prior to surgery. Executive Director Lisa York, RN, BSN, MSN, CASC, says the brochure is designed to be a handy reference guide for parents when preparing for their child’s upcoming procedure.

Sections include “Preparing for Surgery,” “Day of Surgery” and “After Surgery,” along with contact numbers and tips about critical phases of the procedure such as anesthesia. For instance: “Helpful Tip: Too much consoling during induction can increase anxiety. A steady, positive attitude is more reassuring than words.”