Patients' preferred mode of travel to the orthopaedic theatre

摘要

AIM: To determine the preferred mode of travel to the operating theatre for elective orthopaedic patients. METHODS: Data was collected prospectively over a 2-wk period at an elective Orthopaedic Treatment Centre. Patients were asked to complete a patient satisfaction questionnaire following their surgery on their experience and subsequent preferred mode of transport to theatre. The data was then recorded in a tabulated format and analysed with percentages. Fisher's exact test was used to determine if there was any statistical association between patients' preference to walk and various groups; in-patient or day case procedures, and whether patients were < 60 years or > 60 years of age.RESULTS: Seventy patients(40 females and 30 males) fully completed the questionnaire. In total there were 33 d-cases and 37 in-patients. The spectrum of orthopaedic sub-specialties included was knee(41%), hip(17%), foot and ankle(24%), spine(13%) and upper limb(4%). Patient satisfaction for overall experience of travelling to theatre was either excellent(77%) or good(23%). Following their experience of travelling to theatre, 87%(95%CI: 79%-95%) of the total cohort would have preferred to walk to the operating theatre. There was a statistically significant association(P = 0.003) between patients' preference to walk and whether they were daycase or in-patients. Similarly, there was a statistically significance association(P = 0.028) between patients' preference to walk and whether they were < 60 years or > 60 years of age.CONCLUSION: This study confirms the majority of Orthopaedic elective patients would prefer to walk to theatre, when given the choice and if practically possible.