Background: The efficacy of establishing an intensification outpatient center for diagnostic and treatment endoscope services has been documented, but its practical implementation remains limited. Presently, there are two models for outpatient endoscope care services: the clinical specialty-based model and the solitary outpatient model. However, each model has its limitations.
Aims: In this study, we introduce a nurse-led service model that offers comprehensive care throughout the entire journey for patients undergoing painless endoscopic treatment procedures outside the operating room overseen by anesthesiologist and report its implementation in an university-affiliated hospital.
Design: A single-center observational study.
Methods: Data was collected all of 2013 and 2022 at a tertiary medical hospital center. A total of 168,100 patients undergoing endoscopic anesthesia were included in the analysis. Patients receiving endoscopic diagnosis and treatment were divided into two groups: the Model-2013 (clinical specialty endoscopy service model, from January to December 2013) and the Model-2022 (nurse-led service model under the supervision of anesthesiologists, from January to December 2022). We conducted a retrospective analysis of workload data and compared the nursing quality management index of endoscopy center between Model-2013 and Model-2022.
Results: In 2013, the workload for digestive endoscopy was 28,864 procedures, while in 2022, it had significantly increased to 139,236 procedures. Patient satisfaction had risen from 93.99% to 95.25%, and the satisfaction of the collaborative team increased from 91.77% to 98.10%. The endoscopic cancellation rate dropped from 13.56% to 8.75%. The quality indicators for anesthesia nursing and endoscopy nursing had improved significantly without an increase in equipment and nursing costs (p < .05).
Conclusion: The nurse-led service model for patients undergoing painless endoscopic procedures outside the operating room can enhance service efficiency and patient safety and satisfaction, and can serve as a viable alternative to the traditional models based on clinical specialty and independent single endoscopy department.
Keywords: Anesthesiologist supervision; Nurse-led service model; Outpatient service under the anesthesia; Pain-free center.
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