Impact of Applying PDCA Circulation Method on Surgical Care Interventions in the Operating Room on Patients Undergoing Cardiothoracic Surgery: A Retrospective Study

Background: The Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle is a widely recognized methodology for continuous quality improvement. This study evaluated the impact of applying the PDCA cycle on surgical care interventions in the operating room for patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on the treatment of patients who underwent continuous cardiothoracic surgery in our Hospital from July 2020 to June 2023. Participants were divided into control and PDCA groups on the basis of the application of the PDCA cycle in their surgical care. Various outcomes were assessed, including psychological well-being (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HAMA] and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale [HAMD] scales), quality of life (using the QLQ-C30 tool), patient satisfaction, incidence of adverse accidents, clinical parameters, and laboratory measures. Results: The study comprised 133 patients, with 62 in the control group and 71 in the PDCA group. The psychological well-being, as measured by the HAMA and HAMD scales, of the PDCA group showed significant improvements compared with that of the control group (p < 0.05). The Quality-of-Life scores were higher in the PDCA group than in the control group (p < 0.05). In the PDCA group, the patient satisfaction scores related to hospital satisfaction were significantly higher than that in the control group, and the incidence of adverse accidents was lower (all p < 0.05). No significant differences were noted in clinical parameters (ejection fraction and B-type natriuretic peptide levels) nor laboratory measures (serum protein and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels) between the groups (p > 0.05 for all). Conclusion: The implementation of the PDCA cycle in the operating room for patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery significantly improved psychological well-being and patient satisfaction and reduced the incidence of adverse accidents in the operating room, indicating that this quality improvement approach can enhance patient care experience. Although no significant differences were observed in clinical and laboratory parameters, the findings suggest that the PDCA cycle's strengths lie in its systematic approach to care process optimization and patient-centered outcomes.