Innovative Ideas Register

"On the Move" Mobile Surgical Services, Rural Day Stay Surgery and Telepresence Unit

Development of the Initiative

The development of the mobile surgical service and tele-presence suite was visioned by a small group of health professionals as:

• A viable and visable alternative to the growing trend of health care centralisation in New Zealand. Centralisation comes at a cost to rural New Zealanders, who suffer a sense of community dislocation, incurring both social and economic costs. Additionally rural communities have found it increasingly difficult to recruit and retain nurses, GPs and other health professionals. The sharing of the mobile operating theatre throughout the rural communities of New Zealand provides and enables access to cost-effective surgery for low-risk elective day surgery cases. Similarly, rural nurses’, doctors’ and allied health professionals’ access to advanced skills training and integration with secondary and tertiary activities is enhanced.
• The isolation of New Zealand globally affects secondary and tertiary hospitals, carrying with it economic and clinical costs in maintaining standards. Tele-presence technology allows surgical teams access to expert assistance and be exposed to new ideas and technologies. The adoption of the use of this “new” technology provides national and international training for the surgical teams, reducing the requirement to travel and the “lost” theatre time.
• The development of the mobile surgery and tele-presence services places New Zealand at the forefront of international health initiatives attracting both international interest and positioning New Zealand at the leading edge of technological advancement for providing health care to rural and isolated communities in an integrated manner.

Results

Mobile Surgical Services is of the opinion that seeing is believing and the Bus itself is a winner with the public once they have seen it. Over the past year 1107 patients were treated on the bus and 40 tele-presence sessions were held. Feedback from patients, staff and management at rural locations is very positive.

Mobile Surgical Services — Summary of Patient Satisfaction Survey Results received between 1 July 2003 and 30 October 2003.

How easy was it to board the bus?

Question Summary: Total number of responses received 75; Very Easy 47 (63.51%); Easy 20 (27.03%); Satisfactory 7 (9.46%); Difficult 1 (1.35%); Very Difficult 0 (0.00%).

How easy was it to identify Mobile Operating Theatre staff and the role they performed?

Question Summary: Total number of responses received 74; Very Easy 46 (62.16 1%); Easy 17 (22.97%); Satisfactory 8 (10.81%); Difficult 2 (2.70%); Very Difficult 1 (1.35%).

Were you given enough information about you/your child’s care prior to and during your visit?

Question Summary: Total number of responses received 72; Yes 70 (94.59%); No 2 (2.70%).

How well did the Mobile Operating Theatre service meet your cultural needs?

Question Summary: Total number of responses received 70; Very Well 59 (79.73%); Well 8 (10.81%); Satisfactory 3 (4.05%); Poorly 0 (0.00%); Not at all 0 (0.00%).

How well did the Mobile Operating Theatre service meet your privacy needs?

Question Summary: Total number of responses received 75; Very Well 61 (82.43%); Well 9 (12.16%); Satisfactorily 5 (6.76%); Poorly 0 (0.00%); Not at all 0 (0.00%).

How efficient was the care you/your child received?

Question Summary: Total number of responses received 74; Very Efficient 57 (77.03%); Efficient 14 (18.92%); Satisfactory 3 (4.05%); Inefficient 0 (0.00%); Very Inefficient 0 (0.00%).

Were you satisfied with the outcome of you/your child’s treatment?

Question Summary: Total number of responses received 73; Yes 73 (98.65%); No 0 (0.00%)

NB: Percentages are representative of the total replies received. Percentages will not total 100% for questions that were not answered by every respondent.

Primary Contact

Maryanne Sweeney
General Manager
Mobile Surgical Services Ltd
PO Box 36320, Merivale
CHRISTCHURCH

Tel. (03) 355 4790
email: Maryanne@mmt.co.nz