Systems put in place to curb surgical operation cancellations at Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital

The Department of Health has put measures in place to address theatre procedure cancellations in two of its major central hospitals, said Thembisa Shologu on behalf of the Gauteng Office of the Premier. 

Shologu said that Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital (CMAH) and Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH) have in the last year had to cancel 2 036 at CMAH whereas the CHBAH deferred 1 979 procedures, respectively.

“Due to various reasons, such as a high number of acute and intensive care unit (ICU) beds, patient-related issues, infrastructure and equipment-related issues both hospitals had to cancel or defer planned theatre procedures. It should be noted that these facilities have put systems in place to improve patient outcomes including active participation of patients in the scheduling of operations by introducing an electronic communication system for booking, reminder and cancellation,” said the Department of Health spokesperson, Kwara Kekana.

Shologu said that both hospitals continue to see a large number of patients who present themselves with different illnesses. Patients are evaluated for major elective surgical procedures at pre-anaesthetic clinic before a booking is made.  

“Patients scheduled for elective surgical procedures are to be in the hospital on time (7pm) to ensure uninterrupted supply of consumables for elective surgical procedures and cutting time for elective surgical procedures across to be at 8pm,” said Kekana.

Kekana added that other measures being put in place to ensure that fewer procedures are cancelled or deferred include strengthening the cluster system and outreach, performing some of the operations in the cluster hospitals, extending arthroplasty list to 7pm during the week.

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