Abstract
Introduction
This study assesses whether post-operative check-in phone calls (POPC) performed within 48 h of outpatient pediatric urological surgeries by a non-medical professional (NMP) would increase patient/family satisfaction and minimize extraneous resource use by increasing email/telephone communication, while reducing emergency department (ED) visits within 30 days of that procedure.
Methods
Families of patients undergoing ambulatory pediatric urology surgeries were enrolled over 8 weeks. Group 1 did not receive POPC. Group 2 received a POPC within 48 h of their operation by a NMP. Both groups received a phone-call survey 2 weeks after surgery to assess families’ perioperative satisfaction.
Results
In total, 74 families were enrolled (Group 1 = 44, Group 2 = 31). The response rates to phone surveys for Groups 1 and 2 were 59.1% and 77.4%, respectively. POPC did not improve perioperative satisfaction, nor did it significantly promote the use of nursing email/telephone communication (19.2% vs. 4.2%, p = 0.128) or reduce ED visits (15.4% vs. 0.0%, p = 0.111). However, all families in Group 2 thought POPC was timed appropriately and 79.1% perceived it to be helpful in reducing post-operative anxiety.
Conclusion
POPC by a NMP within 48 h of surgery may not affect perioperative satisfaction of families of patients undergoing same-day pediatric urology surgery but may have an impact in reducing post-operative anxiety.
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Funding
This project was funded by the 2017 Perioperative Services Summer Studentship Program at The Hospital for Sick Children.
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The research was approved by the institutional Quality Improvement Committee, no Research Ethics Board approval was required as per institutional policy.
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Kim, J.K., Lee, M.J., Chua, M.E. et al. Do post-operative phone calls enhance family satisfaction and outcomes after outpatient pediatric urological surgeries? A prospective study. Pediatr Surg Int 37, 161–167 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-020-04770-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-020-04770-5