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08
Jul
Harrogate hospital announces same-day discharge hysterectomies
Women undergoing a hysterectomy can now be discharged on the same day at Harrogate hospital.
Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT), which runs Harrogate District Hospital, today announced laparoscopic hysterectomies – carried out by keyhole surgery – can be completed as day cases.
A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure in which the womb - uterus - is removed and pregnancy and menstruation are no longer possible.
The surgery is often carried out to treat women's health problems such as heavy periods, long-term pelvic pain, adenomyosis, fibroids and cancer.
Harrogate hospital has traditionally performed hysterectomies through keyhole surgery, which often takes between one-to-two hours and the patient is under general anaesthetic.
During the procedure, a small tube containing a tiny video camera – a laparoscope – is inserted through a small cut near the belly button. Instruments are then inserted through other small incisions to the abdomen to remove the uterus.
The fallopian tubes and ovaries can also be removed in some cases.
Women tend to stay at Harrogate hospital for up to two days following the surgery, but some will now be discharged just hours after the procedure as the new day-case service has been introduced.
The hospital said as part of the new service, patients will be admitted to the threatre recovery unit following the procedure and will stay there for around 30 minutes until they are fully awake.
Patients will then be returned to the ward, where they will be observed for around six hours post-operation.
The hospital said once the patient can eat and drink, pass urine properly and is able to walk around the ward comfortably with oral pain relief, they will be considered for discharge by the surgical and recovery if their condition is deemed safe and they are well enough.
It added today:
The benefits of same-day discharge after surgery include a faster recovery and return to normal daily activities, a reduced risk of complications that can happen from extended hospital stays, such as blood clots, and a quicker return to eating and drinking.
The new service has been developed by Levente Barabási, a surgical care practitioner in gynaecology at Harrogate District NHS Foundation Trust.
The day-case surgery represents advancement in delivering enhanced recovery and patient-centred care at the trust, according to the hospital.
Mr Barabási said:
It has been a privilege to work on this project, which reflects our unwavering commitment to improving patient outcomes and experiences. Our aim has always been to deliver safe, efficient, and compassionate care, and this initiative stands as a testament to that goal.
No one wants to spend longer than they have to in a hospital and there can be some incredible benefits of recovering at home. It can lower the risk of some infections, provide an environment where you can have better quality sleep, which helps the body recover, it provides more freedom and, of course, there is nothing better than a familiar environment surrounded by your creature comforts.
Discharging patients on the same day also provides our hospital with more available bed space, meaning that we can help more people.
This is a significant milestone for the gynaecology service at HDFT, and a true credit to the dedication, collaboration, and excellence of everyone involved.
Charlotte-Ann Smith, the first patient to experience a same-day discharge laparoscopic hysterectomy at the hospital, added:
I have really appreciated the quality of care I have received from admission, all the way through to discharge. My recovery is going well, and I already feel like a new person after years of problems.
Being able to return home within hours of major surgery has really helped. I feel that if I had stayed in hospital, it would have prolonged the start of my recovery and it wouldn’t have motivated me to get up and out of bed. Recovery so far has been a lot easier than I ever thought it would be.
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