Utilizing technology to improve intraoperative family communication

PurposeTo create and assess satisfaction with an electronic-medical-record (EMR) integrated communication system designed to optimize perioperative communication with families.MethodsWe built a tool in the EMR's intraoperative nursing navigation screen for sending customized or standardized text pages to families in English or Spanish. Preoperatively, families were given text pagers with instructions and a hospital map to facilitate leaving the waiting area. After 6 months, Press-Ganey™ data and internal surveys from randomly selected families, and all nurses and surgeons were analyzed for satisfaction and effectiveness.ResultsPress-Ganey™ data demonstrated 30% improvement in patient satisfaction (p < 0.05). Among families, > 90% indicated pagers were easy to use and provided the desired information during surgery. Of nurses, >90% found the system easy to use and believed it improved families' experience. All surgeons reported improved intraoperative communication and ease of finding families postoperatively.ConclusionPerioperative family communication via EMR-integrated text improves efficiency and family, nurse, and surgeon satisfaction.