Team effort in elective surgery produces outstanding results for MedRec at Lions Gate Hospital

The discipline and good organization of staff and physicians in the Lions Gate Hospital elective surgery program shone through in a recent medication reconciliation (MedRec) audit where they achieved a 95% completion rate, far exceeding the 75% target.

Nurse Azam Pavandpour is one of the nurses in Daycare who diligently perform the medication verification process with the patient or patient’s caregiver as part of the thorough pre-operative review. Azam notes that, while this step requires a little more time and effort, it’s worth it as it enables the surgeon and anesthetist to make informed care decisions by ensuring the patient medication list is up-to-date and accurate. “It ensures the patient has the correct medications post-op as well as a smoother transition to the ward.”

Dr. Ryan Janicki from neurosurgery also appreciates the benefits MedRec provides him and his patients. “It ensures a smooth transition of medications taken in the community to the peri-operative period”. Dr. Janicki also likes the fact that, “medications can be discontinued, held or altered in a transparent and efficient fashion on the MedRec Order form for the whole team to see.”

MedRec has also been implemented in the LGH Emergency Department and acute wards where staff and physicians are continuing to work on refining the process.

For more information on MedRec at LGH, visit the VCHConnect link http://www.vcha.ca/programs_services/patient_safety/medication_reconciliation/page_105281.htm. Any questions can be directed to Mary Shyng (mary.shyng@vch.ca) or Karen Mayo (Karen.mayo@vch.ca)