The development of elderly patient surveillance for deteriorating symptoms while waiting for examination at the outpatient department of Phonphisai Hospital, Nong Khai Province.

Abstract

     This action research aimed to develop a surveillance framework for elderly individuals exhibiting deteriorating conditions while waiting medical examination in the outpatient department of Phonphisai Hospital, Nong Khai Province. The sample groups consisted of 385 patients aged 60 years and older receiving outpatient services at the same hospital from April to July 2024. The research tools included a questionnaire assessing nurses' knowledge, a satisfaction survey for elderly patients, and group discussions. Quantitative data analysis employed statistical methods including frequency, percentile analysis, Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test, one sample t-test, and qualitative content analysis.
     The research findings indicate that the model for elderly surveillance patients' deterioration while waiting for examination is the ZKT2G model, which includes: 1) Improved service area arrangements (Zone; Z) 2) Enhanced knowledge development for professional nurses in outpatient nursing (Knowledge; K) 3) Clearer triage and fast track for elderly patients to monitor deterioration (Triage & Fast track; T) 4) Established surveillance guidelines (Guideline) 5) Continuous supervision and follow-up (Guidance). The results of implementing this model show that professional nurses significantly increased their knowledge to a high level, with statistical significance at the .05 level. The satisfaction scores of elderly patients were also significantly high, with statistical significance at the .05 level. Additionally, the waiting time before a doctor's examination decreased from 1 hour 25 minutes to 52 minutes.