Ms. Agnes Ryzynski

BHSc, RRT, AA, CTDP

College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Research Interests:

Interprofessional team communication during a crisis situation. Medical Simulation for Quality Improvement

Brief Bio:

Agnes is passionate about harnessing technology and innovation to explore Translational Research approaches to contemporary healthcare issues. She manages the Sunnybrook Canadian Simulation Centre and Curriculum Development. Her 24 years of clinical experience as a Registered Respiratory Therapist, Anesthesia Assistant, and her work on Emergency Preparedness, Education Advisory Council, Education Research Unit, Advance Care Planning and Patient Oriented Discharge committees allow her novel opportunities to create improved patient care. Her focus and research interest are simulation-based education for quality improvement and building high performing interprofessional healthcare teams. Agnes enjoys painting, is a fan of soccer and everything Sci-Fi.

Capstone Project:

Improving the Patient Experience in the Pre-Anesthesia Clinic

The Sunnybrook Pre-Anesthesia Clinic (PAC) aims to optimize patients for their surgery by providing them with critical information for their journey in addition to allowing the anesthesiologist to coordinate patient care for the procedure. Ultimately, this step allows for better overall outcomes for patients by reducing the risk of surgical complications and improving patient recovery post-surgery. However, literature has reported that prolonged wait times at preoperative clinics, poor understanding of the surgical procedure and overall negative patient satisfaction can be seen as burdensome, resulting in preoperative anxiety. This has the potential to negatively impact the patient by contributing to downstream effects, such as increased recovery times and medication requirements, postoperative complications, and pain. In 2018, a preliminary needs assessment conducted by our team observed some of these findings with patients and care providers within the PAC. In our investigation, we hope to employ a patient-centered approach in identifying patient needs and co-creating a strategy to develop a more holistic care experience within the PAC.

Ms. Agnes Ryzynski

BHSc, RRT, AA, CTDP

College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Research Interests:

Interprofessional team communication during a crisis situation. Medical Simulation for Quality Improvement

Brief Bio:

Agnes is passionate about harnessing technology and innovation to explore Translational Research approaches to contemporary healthcare issues. She manages the Sunnybrook Canadian Simulation Centre and Curriculum Development. Her 24 years of clinical experience as a Registered Respiratory Therapist, Anesthesia Assistant, and her work on Emergency Preparedness, Education Advisory Council, Education Research Unit, Advance Care Planning and Patient Oriented Discharge committees allow her novel opportunities to create improved patient care. Her focus and research interest are simulation-based education for quality improvement and building high performing interprofessional healthcare teams. Agnes enjoys painting, is a fan of soccer and everything Sci-Fi.

Capstone Project:

Improving the Patient Experience in the Pre-Anesthesia Clinic

The Sunnybrook Pre-Anesthesia Clinic (PAC) aims to optimize patients for their surgery by providing them with critical information for their journey in addition to allowing the anesthesiologist to coordinate patient care for the procedure. Ultimately, this step allows for better overall outcomes for patients by reducing the risk of surgical complications and improving patient recovery post-surgery. However, literature has reported that prolonged wait times at preoperative clinics, poor understanding of the surgical procedure and overall negative patient satisfaction can be seen as burdensome, resulting in preoperative anxiety. This has the potential to negatively impact the patient by contributing to downstream effects, such as increased recovery times and medication requirements, postoperative complications, and pain. In 2018, a preliminary needs assessment conducted by our team observed some of these findings with patients and care providers within the PAC. In our investigation, we hope to employ a patient-centered approach in identifying patient needs and co-creating a strategy to develop a more holistic care experience within the PAC.