How I optimise the patient experience at Nimes University Hospital

Hand surgery patients receive structured yet individualized care in a French public hospital. From admission to discharge, they benefit from a multidisciplinary team that includes surgeons, nurses, and physiotherapists, ensuring a comprehensive treatment plan.
Upon arrival, the patient undergoes a thorough preoperative assessment, including a medical history review, imaging, and consultations with specialists. Based on the procedure and the patient’s condition, anesthesia under WALANT is discussed.
On the day of surgery, the patient is prepared in a minimal sterile environment to minimize infection risks and reduce the impact of carbon cost.
The surgical team follows strict protocols to ensure precision and safety.
The team is then dedicated to optimizing the patient experience. We offer many modalities to diminish stress, including music, essential oils, and hypnotherapy.
Information is based on comic-type details to offer a clear and different way to present the other step of the surgery.
We propose a dedicated pathway for every patient.
We emphasize the relationship between the patient and the team to ensure the best experience, reduce stress, and achieve the best result, which is a faster return to work.
Postoperatively, pain management and rehabilitation begin immediately, with personalized follow-up to optimize recovery.
Olivier Marès1, Rima Lucas1 Marie Laure Alenda1 , Pascal kouyoumdjian1.
1Chu de Nimes .