Stockton Ambulatory Surgery Unit (ASU) nurses took feedback from cataract patients to heart. Patients who had cataract surgery at the ASU consistently provided feedback on their experience surveys regarding the long pre-op wait time on uncomfortable gurneys.

These patients require a series of eye drop medication administration prior to going to the operating room, resulting in patients waiting on a gurney for three hours,  leading to discomfort and increased anxiety.  A pilot project workgroup was created on April 17, 2025, consisting of key stakeholders: OR nurses, pre-eval nurse, preoperative nurses, all ASU nurse leaders, ophthalmology surgeons, and the Ophthalmology Chief.

With the goal of optimal patient care and experience, and to improve staff satisfaction, this interdisciplinary team developed a plan that led to more surgeons practicing pre-admission dilation for cataract cases.  Patients were able to administer their pre-operative dilation drops at home, decreasing patient wait time in the ASU.  This project has decreased wait time for patients from check-in following efficient admission process in pre-op area within the hour.  It has also increased the efficiency of throughput in the ASU by ensuring cases are completed within the block time, reduced the probability of overtime for staff, and decreased the overall perioperative length of stay.