New Procedure Bay at Countess of Chester Hospital helping patients get treated faster

An innovative new service at the Trust is improving patient care and freeing up valuable operating theatre time, following the success of its Procedure Bay initiative.

The Trust initially piloted the scheme earlier this year after identifying the need for a safer and more efficient way to treat stable patients who require urgent procedures but do not need a full operating theatre.

Based in the theatre recovery area, the Procedure Bay provides a dedicated space for anaesthetic procedures such as nerve catheter insertions and complex intravenous access.

By carrying out these treatments outside of the main theatre environment, patients can be treated more quickly in a calmer, more organised setting.

Since launching, the service has already delivered clear benefits. It has supported 20 urgent procedures and freed up 27 hours of operating theatre time  -  saving the Trust around £32,400.

As a result, waiting times have reduced and theatre space has been made available for more complex cases.

Following its success, the Procedure Bay has now become part of routine practice across the Trust.

Consultant Anaesthetist Thomas Rudnick, Lead for Emergency Theatres,  said:

The team is extremely proud of the impact the initiative is making: “Our new procedural area in theatre recovery is a first of its kind initiative in the region which we’re extremely proud of,” 

“Our biggest success so far has been with the insertion of nerve catheters for patients with rib fractures and serious circulation problems.

“They are now being inserted far more efficiently, greatly improving patients’ experience and outcomes, as well as saving hours of emergency theatre time and Trust expenditure,”

Nigel Scawn, the Trust’s Medical Director added:

“This initiative is a great example of how innovation and teamwork can deliver real benefits for patients and staff. By creating a more efficient pathway for urgent procedures, we are not only improving patient experience and outcomes but also making better use of our theatre capacity so we can treat more people more quickly.

“I’m incredibly proud of the teams involved in developing and embedding this approach into everyday practice,”

Pictured - Doctors Luke Winslow, Grant Harris and Reeanne Jones.