Dr Jamie Mackay, Anaesthetic Consultant, began a journey three years ago as part of the Big Ideas Campaign, led by the HRO team. His vision aimed to improve communication between the hospital and surgical patients through a digital platform, enhancing patient preparedness for elective surgeries.

This innovative project has now come to life with the launch of the Perioperative Digital Care Pathway (DCP) via the My Health @ Northern app on 20 August, 2024.

“The digital care pathway provides patients with a source of information that’s tailored to them and that they can trust. It is a sign of Northern Health’s leadership in the digital health space that we have a team like CLEO that can take an idea and produce a robust, comprehensive digital care pathway for our patients,” said Dr. Mackay.

The Perioperative DCP is designed to provide clinicians with accurate, real-time information about patients’ health status, improve patient satisfaction, reduce surgery cancellations and decrease hospital-acquired complications.

The project has been a collaborative effort, with a steering committee including key members of the surgery division, Allied Health and consumers, ensuring the pathway meets the needs of both patients and clinicians.

“The My Health @ Northern app is a great addition for our patients, giving tailored surgical and health information, with the aim of reducing patient uncertainty, failed attendances and surgery cancellations,” said Lisa Cox, Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer.

A key component of the project has been the recent development of educational resources including a Welcome to Your Surgical Journey  video series, featuring four videos that follow a patient’s surgical journey from start to end. It covers what to do if a patient gets invited to the pre-admission clinic, what will happen on the day of their surgery as well as the discharge and follow up process.

“The Perioperative Digital Care Pathway aligns with the Department of Health’s newly released Planned Surgery Reform Blueprint, which aims to improve the experiences of planned surgery for all Victorians,” added Ms Cox.

“Happy to be involved in making the video to help patients that have never been under an operation before,” said Noel King, Consumer, Northern Health.

The goal of the program is to provide timely, coordinated, person-centred care that delivers the outcomes that matter most to Northern Health’s patients and their families. We want to help our patients build the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to improve their own healthcare outcomes.

“It has been wonderful being involved in this project, which will greatly benefit our surgical patients. The app will assist patients with physical and mental preparation for surgery, and the future phases of the app will continue to improve the patient’s journey in the surgical space,” said Yvette Sage, Perioperative Project Manager, CLEO, Northern Health.

“As a nurse, it has been refreshing to be involved in a project which involves digital health, and to deliver a DCP which is patient outcome focused.”