Improving theatre access for patients requiring emergency surgery is one of the main benefits of the new surgical classification system soon to be introduced across our three hospital sites.

A patient-centred approach has been at the heart of developing the new system, with classifications based on the clinical need and urgency of patients. In addition to reducing delays for emergency surgery, the new method will also potentially lessen the length of stay in hospital during recovery.

Theatre teams from across Lanarkshire, including surgeons, anaesthetists, nursing and admin staff, have been involved in deciding the range of clinical indicators which determine the patient’s surgical urgency classification. There are nine levels of classifications, which range from surgery being required within 45 minutes to non-urgent/elective. All surgical specialties are participating in the project as well as cardiology (cath lab).

Ass well as improving patient care, the new system is also more efficient and beneficial for staff, reducing theatre cancellations and surgery over-runs. It will also provide a revised flow process to resolve situations where more than one specialty is vying for access to emergency theatre at the same time.

Director of acute services Heather Knox said: “We have excellent theatre teams who put their patients’ needs first at all times. This new system enables us to manage patient need in a consistent way across all our specialities and all of our sites, driving up quality standards for theatre access for patients with time-sensitive conditions.

“In the first few month of the system’s operation we’ll be monitoring and analysing data to identify and address any teething issues. I want thank our theatre teams for engaging with this initiative in the way that they have. Their expertise has been invaluable and I know they’ll provide their continued support as we implement this improvement.”