FlexClinics is an independent treatment center (ZBC) located in Utrecht. They primarily perform orthopedic and plastic surgical procedures. They distinguish themselves by being new, but also smaller in scale. According to co-owner and anesthesiologist Peter van Aggelen, this ensures very short communication channels with patients.

FlexClinics aims to offer patients the opportunity to undergo surgery in a comfortable environment.

FlexClinics evaluated which operational processes could contribute to this goal. A robust preoperative screening is an integral part of this for FlexClinics. "As an anesthesiologist, I am directly involved in this," says Van Aggelen. Since he still administers anesthesia in the OR himself, he requires a fast and accurate assessment of the patient's risk category.

This is why FlexClinics has been looking for software to support the smart organization of preoperative screening from the very beginning. For Van Aggelen, it was clear: "I want to use E-POS for this."

Why E-POS works for independent treatment centers like FlexClinics
At FlexClinics, we have automated a large portion of the process. The back office prepares an assessment for scheduled surgical patients. From there, the patient can complete the questionnaire and receive information via E-POS regarding which type of anesthesia is suitable for the procedure. Once completed, the anesthesiologist can review the questionnaire results in a report format. They can then make a decision: does the patient need an in-person visit, a brief telephone consultation, or is no contact necessary prior to the day of surgery itself?

This works exceptionally well. We also know from NovaCair that extensive research has been conducted on this and that the assessment in the report is fully validated.

What are the benefits for FlexClinics patients?
For the patient, E-POS provides a platform where they can review the options surrounding their surgery at their own pace, in their own time and environment.

We notice that our patients truly appreciate this, as a visit to a healthcare provider (including the anesthesiologist) is typically characterized by a clinical setting. Instead of having to answer questions as quickly as possible on-site within 10 minutes, patients can take their time and reflect on matters much more calmly and thoroughly.

What exact benefits does FlexClinics gain from using E-POS?
For us, the result of using E-POS is a massive reduction in the time spent managing patient flow. Patients no longer need to wait in the waiting room, I can usually handle patient calls in between my other tasks, which means I don't have scheduled outpatient clinic hours; instead, I perform consultations whenever it suits me, according to Peter van Aggelen.

Ultimately, what matters to me is the time saved and the high-quality clinical documentation that is automatically integrated into my EHR.