Background: Pre-operative assessment and education plays an essential part in perioperative nursing practice. Due to the clinical consequences of total laryngectomy, sufficient pre-operative assessment and education would improve patient's post-operative journey.
Objectives: The aim of this implementation project was to integrate the available evidence of pre-operative assessment and education into practice, and to improve the compliance of best practice to audit criteria, to reduce the incidence of complications.
Methods: This project utilized the audit and feedback model using the Joanna Briggs Institute Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System. This included a baseline audit, feedback and implementation of strategies, and a follow-up cycle. Five evidence based audit criteria were audited in an ear, nose and throat ward of a hospital in Fudan. 32 patients and 29 nursing staff were involved in this project.
Results: Improvements in the compliance rates of all criteria have been shown, ranging from 94% to 100% in the follow up audit cycle.
Conclusions: This project demonstrated an improvement in evidence-based practices in regards to pre-operative education and assessment. Further challenges will focus on developing strategies to sustain these improvements in compliance.