Pre-op Assessment team win big at HSJ Awards | News

A digital tool spearheaded by the Trust that allows patients to complete part of their pre operation assessment at home has won a prestigious HSJ Award.

Congratulations to Dr Harsh Saxena, Consultant Anaesthetist, Michelle Dudley, Pre-op Assessment Team leader and Project Manager for Lifebox and Rebecca Tucker Lead Pre-Assessment Sister who received the accolade, together with Definition Health, a digital technology company.

The collaborative LifeBox project was named winner in the Best Elective Care Recovery Initiative.

LifeBox is a digital tool that builds an interactive patient summary by allowing patients to complete part of their pre-assessment at home ahead of a procedure.

Two-way file sharing between the Trust and the patient allows for secure exchange of information such as test results, fasting advice and useful information to reassure and inform patients.

Dr Harsh Saxena, Consultant Anaesthetist, said: “We were delighted that the project has been recognised by the HSJ.

“The benefits of using LifeBox are many and include being able to empower patients and engage them more fully in their own care, educating them about their surgical procedure and facilitating smooth admission. It also allows us to improve standardisation of patient care and reduce unnecessary hospital visits.

“Completing part of their pre-assessment away from the hospital not only lessens the stress for patients, but it also allows close family and friends to be more involved in the process and support their loved ones more effectively.”

Michelle Dudley, added: “This was a great achievement. I would like to say a huge thank you to my pre-op assessment team and also the admissions co-ordinators for helping to implement LifeBox in just four weeks. I would also like to thank the LifeBox team for all their support.

“Other departments have seen the benefits of LifeBox and now want to get involved which is really exciting.”