The Perioperative Unit Practice Council (UPC) identified an opportunity to improve Care Experience scores related to communication among care team members. The team recognized that postoperative patients are often alone or in an overwhelmed state, making it difficult to absorb verbal instructions. To address this, they focused on improving the clarity and accessibility of written education materials.

The team reviewed existing discharge materials and collaborated to redesign them into a simplified, patient-friendly discharge brochure. The new brochure uses plain language that is easy for anyone to understand, incorporates emojis to enhance health awareness, and includes visual aids to reinforce key terms.

In May 2025, the UPC team introduced the brochure to both patients and staff. Nurses educated their colleagues during huddles and staff meetings, promoting the use of consistent key words such as comfort, teamwork, and side effects during patient interactions. The brochure was also shared with family members to support understanding and continuity of care.

Recognizing that nearly 30% of Sonoma County’s population identifies as Hispanic or Latino, the brochure was simultaneously launched in Spanish and English to ensure equitable access to education materials.

Results:
Following the introduction of the new discharge brochure, the Perioperative team observed significant improvements in Care Experience scores:

• Communication: May 86.8 → June 94.7

• Anesthesia side effects easy to understand: May 81.1 → June 87.8

• Staff ensured you were comfortable: May 96.3 → June 98.0

• Nurses’ concern for comfort: May 75.3 → June 91.3

• Staff response to concerns and complaints: May 75.0 → June 86.8

Through this initiative, the UPC demonstrated the powerful impact of clear communication, culturally inclusive education, and teamwork on patient satisfaction and care quality.