Cutting–edge technology scoops top prize for shortening time fit patients spend undertaking preoperative assessments prior to surgery.
Developed by clinicians at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the Electronic Personal Assessment Questionnaire (ePAQ–PO) picked up the top prize in the ‘Using Technology to Improve Efficiency’ category at the Yorkshire and Humber Academic Health Science Network’s Innovation, Improvement and Impact awards.

The cutting–edge technology, which is in use at both the Royal Hallamshire and Northern General Hospitals, enables patients to self–complete elements of their preoperative assessment, such as their medical history or the medication they are taking, on a dedicated bank of computers.

This allows patients to complete their preoperative assessment on the same day as their outpatient appointment with the surgeon – avoiding a return visit to hospital – and freeing up appointments for patients who need specific additional tests such as an electrocardiogram, a specialist test which detects problems with the heart. Before the system was introduced, patients would have to wait several weeks before seeing their surgeon after completing their preoperative assessment.