Nupur Bhatt, Jackie Yang, Lauren DeBaere, Ronald Shen Wang, Allison Most, Yan Zhang, Elan Dayanov, Wenqing Yang, Michele Santacatterina, Maria Kamberi, Jacqueline Mojica, Emily Kamen, Justin Savitski, John Stein, Adam Jacobson
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objective: To investigate whether a new preoperative education and discharge planning protocol reduced unexpected discharge delays for patients undergoing reconstructive surgery for head and neck cancer.
Methods: A quality improvement (QI) intervention was implemented in January 2021 with several components to address historically prolonged observed lengths of stay (LOS) with head and neck cancer patients. The intervention added a preoperative educational visit with a head and neck cancer advanced practice provider, a standardized preoperative speech and swallow assessment, a personalized patient care plan document, discussion of inpatient hospital stay expectations, and early discharge planning. The intervention group included patients who underwent the preoperative education protocol from February to December 2021. For comparison, an age and sex-matched control group was constructed from inpatients who had been admitted for similar procedures in the 2 years prior to the QI intervention (2019-2020) and received standard of care counseling.
Results: Our study demonstrated a significant reduction in observed to expected LOS ratio after implementation of the intervention (1.24 ± 0.74 control, 0.95 ± 0.52 intervention; P = .012).
Discussion: We discuss a preoperative education QI intervention at our institution. Our findings demonstrate that our intervention was associated with decreased LOS for patients undergoing head and neck reconstructive surgeries.
Implications for practice: This QI study shows the benefit of a new standardized preoperative education and discharge planning protocol for patients undergoing head and neck reconstructive surgeries.
期刊介绍:
Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (OTO-HNS) is the official peer-reviewed publication of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation. The mission of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery is to publish contemporary, ethical, clinically relevant information in otolaryngology, head and neck surgery (ear, nose, throat, head, and neck disorders) that can be used by otolaryngologists, clinicians, scientists, and specialists to improve patient care and public health.