A02-a Improving Access to Women's Healthcare: Planning, Developing and Implementing a New Women's Health Clinic in a Hospital Setting

Purpose:

To discuss the planning, development and implementation of a nurse led Women's Health Clinic that focuses on the management of early pregnancy care, urgent gynecological assessment and stable obstetrical care such as NST's and foley/gel inductions. The clinic was developed to improve access to care, reduce wait times, ensure appropriate follow up and decrease activity in the obstetrical triage area.

Learning Objectives:

1. Discuss methods to engage patients and families into the planning process for new hospital initiatives.

2. Describe challenges encountered during the planning and implementation of the clinic.

3. Recognize the importance of engaging the interdisciplinary team in improving patient experience and access to care.

Presenters:

Lyndsay Martin-Kowalyk, RN, BA, BScN, MSc, Clinical Manager, Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, ON, Canada

Caroline Dunnett, RN, BScN, Clinical Leader, Hamilton Health Sciences, Dundas, ON, Canada

A02-b Thinking Outside the Box: Reaching Out to Industrial Engineering Students in an Effort to Optimize Client Flow in a Perinatal Hospital Setting

Purpose:

The purpose of this presentation is to appraise the recommendations that emerged from an industrial engineering student project to optimize client flow in the perinatal service areas of a hospital.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the long-standing challenges faced by the interdisciplinary leadership team of the Women’s Health division of a tertiary care hospital with regards to finding adequate solutions to address client flow issues and decreased patient satisfaction.

2. Examine the feasibility of implementing the recommendations that emerged from a project by industrial engineering students who sought to implement a surge plan in a health care setting.

3. Discuss the benefits and limitations of engaging in innovative partnerships to improve patient outcomes and the patient experience.

Presenters:

Ginette Aucoin, RN, MScA, IBCLC, PNC(C), Advanced Practice Nurse (Perinatal Services), McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada

Marie-Josée Bourassa, RN, BScN, Nurse Manager, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada