Case Study

Cambridge University Hospitals

The Diabetes and Endocrinology Team at Addenbrookes Hospital approached Ocura looking for a seating solution for Endocrine Testing and Thyroid Biopsies. The new product would replace their existing upright chairs, which lacked comfort and support. Also up to this point some Endocrine Testing was carried out on hospital beds, which took up more room in a restricted space, and could lead to patient’s feeling like they had been admitted for a longer hospital stay, when in fact these are outpatient visits. Patients are often anxious approaching these procedures, particularly for the first time, and the success of the tests can depend on the extent to which they can be set at ease.

The Approach

Following initial discussions to develop a detailed understanding of the department’s unique challenges, Ocura’s Verona Therapy Chair was selected and provided for an on-site trial. This gave the clinical team the opportunity to evaluate whether the product would truly improve patient outcomes across the different tests the department performs, in the way they hoped. The trial was a complete success, and resulted in the Trust investing in three Verona’s, in order to enhance the service the clinic provides.

The Outcome

When we checked in to see how our Verona’s were impacting staff and patient experience we were told the following:

The patients find the chairs very comfortable and easy to use.

Lead Diabetes Nurse Specialist

The chairs have made a big difference to the patient’s comfort and thus their anxiety levels are less. The patients can be positioned for their individual comfort, with the legs being elevated and not dangling as they were with the previous chair if the patient was not tall enough for their feet to reach the floor!

We were able to lie a patient flat on the chair the other day during a patient emergency, which allowed all the required interventions by the resus team, this could not have been done on the previous chairs.

I believe they have made a positive difference to the patients attending the thyroid biopsy clinic, and to the consultants examining the patients during this clinic.

We are able to use them for patients attending for day cases and long involved endocrine testing where previously the patient would have required a hospital bed for their comfort.

Julia Hale, Clinical Nurse Specialist