Treant Hospital: Fast Track for Hernia & Gallstone Patients

A streamlined approach to surgical care is offering faster relief to patients in the Netherlands dealing with inguinal hernias and gallbladder issues. Approximately one year ago, Treant hospital implemented “fast tracks” for these common conditions, and the results have been promising, with over 700 patients reporting satisfaction with the expedited care.

Faster Access to Surgery

The initiative focuses on reducing wait times for both diagnosis and treatment. According to surgeon Daan Henneman of Treant, “Patients are happy to be helped quickly and are often pleasantly surprised by the short waiting time for surgery.” Data indicates that 84 percent of patients were seen at the surgery clinic within a week and, if needed, underwent surgery within a few weeks.

Did You Know? More than 700 patients have been successfully treated through Treant’s fast-track program in the past year.

This focused approach isn’t just about speed. Henneman explains that dedicating operating room time to a single type of procedure increases efficiency and continuously improves surgical outcomes. For example, quicker scheduling allows for more frequent gallbladder removals before complications like inflammation and jaundice develop.

How the Fast Track Works

The process begins with a referral from a general practitioner. Patients are then seen at the surgery clinic within a week and potentially operated on within weeks. Medical specialists at Treant determine which patients qualify for the fast track, prioritizing those considered low-risk (designated as ASA 1 or 2) who complete a digital screening list (E-POS). Patients who do not meet the criteria for the fast track still receive attention to minimize their wait times.

Expert Insight: Prioritizing low-risk patients for streamlined surgical pathways allows hospitals to optimize resources and reduce the burden on the healthcare system, potentially freeing up capacity for more complex cases.

The fast-track surgeries at Treant are currently performed at the operating rooms of the Bethesda week hospital in Hoogeveen or Refaja in Stadskanaal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What conditions are currently included in the fast track?

The fast track currently includes patients with inguinal hernias and those experiencing gallbladder issues.

What criteria determine if a patient is eligible for the fast track?

Patients must be considered low-risk (ASA 1 or 2) by anesthesiology and complete the digital screening list (E-POS).

Where are the fast-track surgeries performed?

The surgeries are performed at the operating rooms of the Bethesda week hospital in Hoogeveen or Refaja in Stadskanaal.

As hospitals continue to seek ways to improve patient care and reduce backlogs, it is likely that similar fast-track models could be explored for other common surgical procedures, potentially leading to wider adoption of this efficient approach. Analysts expect that further refinement of patient selection criteria and surgical protocols may further optimize these programs. A possible next step could involve expanding the program to include additional surgical specialties.