A Pilot Program: Using Text Messaging to Improve Timely Communication to Tonsillectomy Patients.

Abstract

Approximately 1,500 tonsillectomies are performed annually at a large pediatric academic medical center each year. Families need to be educated on how to care for their child after this surgery. Most tonsillectomy patients are discharged home either the same day as surgery or after one night of observation, resulting in post-operative tonsillectomy recovery and care falling upon the patient's family. Multiple quality improvement efforts to improve family education post tonsillectomy surgery have been performed over the last several years at a large pediatric academic medical center. None of these efforts, however, have focused on the use of technology to provide innovative patient education. The purpose of this project is to provide information to parents via text messages and videos to improve patient experience and outcomes following tonsillectomy. Families provided positive feedback, including that the texts were helpful, easy to understand, and reduced pre-operative and recovery anxiety. Also, none of these families needed to call the ENT clinic for any other questions or concerns. The recovery from tonsillectomy is not easy and this pediatric otolaryngology practice is always searching for new ways to improve care and education. Use of technology is an innovative approach and likely one that will be used more often in the future.