Utilizing New Technologies to Increase Communication

Here at Cincinnati Children’s, we are committed to constantly keeping each one of our patients’ thoughts, feelings, and experiences in the forefront of everything we do. This ranges from how we decorate the departments to which technologies we invest effort into throughout the years. “Patients first” has always been a common mentality shared amongst most medical centers, but Cincinnati Children’s Radiology Department strives to take potential opportunities a step further.

After conducting numerous parent/patient feedback committees and analyzing many comment cards, we found that some families of children who receive a CT, MRI or Nuclear Medicine study and go under general anesthesia/sedation would like more communication throughout the process.

Presently, we allow one or two family members to stay in the induction room while the child is gently placed under general anesthesia/sedation. (Exceptions to this rule may vary with the age and condition of the patient being imaged. Please ask your anesthesia nurse any concerning questions about your specific situation). Once the child is fully asleep, family members are escorted towards the Radiology waiting room. A cell phone number is documented and then a call is placed after the imaging is completed to allow the family to receive their child. There is typically no communication during the exam; however, this will call be changing within the month.

Image: Electronic Status Board set to go-live on Monday, February 20th, 2017.

In response to this issue the Radiology Department has installed a computer monitor inside the waiting room that will display general anesthesia/sedation updates as each patient moves throughout the department. The screen will indicate whether the patient is located within the preparation, induction, scanner, or recovery room (PACU). After your child reaches the PACU, the nurse will release an order to head towards the recovery room for pick up by displaying an icon. To keep anonymity, every general anesthesia/sedation patient will receive a number to identify their progress on the electronic status board (much like in the OR waiting room).

The board has been purchased and installed along the far wall of the Radiology waiting room (next to the projected floor display and iPads). This week, training will continue for our staff, with the goal of a “go-live” date on Monday, February 20.

Please let us know what you think about our improved process and we will continue to exhaust all resources to bring you the best patient and family care possible.