St John & St Elizabeth Hospital transforms pre-op care with LifeBox

In October 2019, St John & St Elizabeth Hospital in London began transforming its pre-operative assessment process by introducing LifeBox, Definition Health’s digital pre-assessment platform. Moving from a paper-based system to a digital solution allowed the hospital to streamline workflows, reduce administrative tasks, and enhance patient care. The phased rollout started with the orthopaedics department, ensuring the hospital could adapt the system effectively before wider implementation.

Challenge

Before adopting LifeBox, St John & St Elizabeth relied on a manual, paper-based system for pre-operative assessments, which was both time-consuming and resource-intensive. Face-to-face assessments averaged two hours per patient, creating inefficiencies with over 500 surgeries performed monthly. The hospital needed a solution to significantly streamline processes while maintaining high standards of patient care.

The transition to a digital platform introduced its own challenges. For three months, staff had to work across both the legacy paper system and the new LifeBox platform, adding complexity. Building staff confidence in the new system was another significant hurdle. As Claire Manley, Outpatient Services Manager, explained, “The biggest challenge was getting everyone to have the confidence to use it.”

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the need for remote assessments became critical. As the hospital became a hub for orthopaedic, trauma, and renal surgeries for NHS Imperial Trust, a digital solution was essential to ensure continuity of care while reducing patient risk.

Solution

The hospital implemented LifeBox using a phased approach, beginning with orthopaedics to refine processes with a smaller group before scaling up. This measured rollout helped the hospital mitigate risks and ensure the platform was effectively tailored to their needs.

Definition Health provided bespoke training for administrative staff, pre-assessment nurses, theatre staff, and ward nurses, ensuring all teams were equipped to use the system. This collaborative approach fostered understanding across departments, helping staff overcome early challenges and build confidence.

During the pandemic, LifeBox became indispensable. The platform allowed patients to complete pre-assessment questionnaires online, with staff providing assistance over the phone for those requiring support. By June 2020, 90% of pre-assessments were conducted digitally for both private and NHS patients, maintaining continuity of care and minimising face-to-face interactions.

“The biggest challenge was getting everyone to have the confidence to use it, especially in the first three months when we were working with two systems. Now, one of the huge benefits of LifeBox is that it’s all there in black and white—questions can’t be skipped, and everything is really clear. You can see patients moving through the stages, and once they’ve completed, nurses are ready to triage them. Staff have also adapted to support patients as digital assistants, offering help over the phone for those needing assistance with the questionnaire.”

Outpatient Services Manager Claire Manley

Impact

The adoption of LifeBox delivered substantial benefits for St John & St Elizabeth Hospital:

• Improved workflow clarity: LifeBox ensured a structured, streamlined process. As Claire Manley noted, “One of the huge benefits is that it’s all there in black and white, and questions can’t be skipped.”
  
  
• Increased efficiency: The transition to digital assessments significantly reduced time spent on face-to-face pre-assessments, freeing up clinical resources.
  
  
• Enhanced patient care: Patients benefited from timely, comprehensive assessments, improving overall satisfaction.
  
  
• Pandemic adaptability: LifeBox enabled the hospital to pivot seamlessly to remote assessments during COVID-19, ensuring continuity of care while protecting patients and staff.

These results demonstrate how LifeBox has not only modernised the hospital’s pre-operative assessment process but also positioned St John & St Elizabeth as a leader in adopting digital healthcare solutions. The hospital’s ability to adapt during the pandemic highlights the platform’s scalability and resilience in meeting evolving healthcare demands.  For more information about LifeBox and to learn how Definition Health’s Smart Surgery Solution can benefit your organisation, please contact us using the form below.