Clinical Report: Optimizing Elective Surgical Pathways Through Early Digital Complexity Assessment

Overview

This feasibility study evaluated a digital questionnaire designed for early complexity screening in elective surgery patients. Results indicated a significant reduction in preoperative screening time and high eligibility for fast-tracking patients to low-complexity surgical hubs.

Background

The elective care backlog poses a significant challenge, with late cancellations exacerbating the issue. Innovative approaches are needed to streamline complexity screening. This study introduces a digital tool that incorporates various domains of patient complexity to enhance preoperative assessment.

Data Highlights

Key Findings

• The average time to preoperative screening decreased from 3–4 weeks to 3.4 days.
• 44% of patients were eligible for fast-tracking to low-complexity surgical hubs.
• A nurse-led validation process identified 100% of medium and high-complexity cases correctly.
• 97% of patients completed the digital questionnaire without assistance.

Clinical Implications

The digital complexity assessment tool can significantly reduce preoperative screening times and enhance patient triage processes. Its implementation may lead to improved resource utilization and reduced cancellation rates in elective surgery.

Conclusion

The study supports the feasibility and validity of the digital complexity tool.

Related Resources & Content

1. BJS (British Journal of Surgery), 2023 -- Co-designing Integrated Care Approaches for Patients with Multimorbidity in Elective Surgical Pathways: A Mixed-Methods Study
2. Surgical Endoscopy, 2023 -- Regulating digital surgery to balance safety and innovation: a SAGES white paper
3. Advancements in Robotic Surgery Education and Enhancing Patient Safety Through Innovative Technology Integration, 2020
4. 2024 AHA/ACC/ACS/ASNC/HRS/SCA/SCCT/SCMR/SVM Guideline for Perioperative Cardiovascular Management for Noncardiac Surgery - American College of Cardiology, 2024
5. NHS England, 2025 -- Early screening, triaging, risk assessment and health optimisation in perioperative pathways: guide for providers and integrated care boards
6. Innovative Control Centers: Preparing Advanced Surgical Settings for the Digital Operating Room Era
7. 2024 AHA/ACC/ACS/ASNC/HRS/SCA/SCCT/SCMR/SVM Guideline for Perioperative Cardiovascular Management for Noncardiac Surgery - American College of Cardiology
8. NHS England » Early screening, triaging, risk assessment and health optimisation in perioperative pathways: guide for providers and integrated care boards
9. A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing pre-anesthesia Evaluation via Telemedicine to In-Person at an NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center - PubMed