Quality statement 1: Point of contact
Quality statement
Adults having surgery have a point of contact in the perioperative care team.
Rationale
Adults having surgery may need information and support before, during and after surgery, and it is important they know who to contact. Adults who are well informed about their surgery can have reduced anxiety and shorter recovery times. An appointed point of contact in the perioperative care team who can address the information and support needs of the adult having surgery throughout the perioperative period will ensure continuity of care.
Quality measures
The following measures can be used to assess the quality of care or service provision specified in the statement. They are examples of how the statement can be measured and can be adapted and used flexibly.
Process
Proportion of adults having surgery who have a point of contact in the perioperative care team.
Numerator – the number in the denominator who have a point of contact in the perioperative care team.
Denominator – the number of adults having surgery.
Data source: Data can be collected from information recorded locally by healthcare professionals and provider organisations, for example from electronic patient records.
What the quality statement means for different audiences
Service providers (secondary and tertiary care services) ensure that adults having surgery have a point of contact in the perioperative care team who can provide information and support throughout the perioperative period.
Perioperative care teams act as a point of contact and a source of information and support throughout the perioperative period for adults having surgery. This may be a specific team member, such as a clinical nurse specialist, or a team of people. Points of contact should have the necessary equality, diversity and inclusion skills and ensure provisions are in place to meet the information and support needs of non-English speakers, adults with communication or cognitive difficulties, adults with disabilities, impairment or sensory loss, and adults with low levels of literacy or numeracy. This may include supplying written information when online resources are not readily accessible. Any opportunities for shared decision making should be maximised by the perioperative care team.
Commissioners ensure that they commission services in which adults having surgery have a point of contact in the perioperative care team who can provide information and support throughout the perioperative period.
Adults having surgery have a point of contact in the perioperative care team who they can approach for information and support throughout their care from when they are booked for surgery until they are discharged after surgery.
Source guidance
Perioperative care in adults. NICE guideline NG180 (2020), recommendation 1.1.1
Definitions of terms used in this quality statement
Adults having surgery
Adults who are booked for an elective or emergency surgical procedure, including dental surgery. [NICE's guideline on perioperative care in adults]
Perioperative care team
Healthcare and non-healthcare professionals involved in the assessment, treatment or care of the adult having surgery throughout the perioperative period. [Expert opinion]
Perioperative period
When the adult is booked for surgery until they are discharged from care after surgery. [NICE's guideline on perioperative care in adults]