Acceptability of early discharge with drain in situ after breast surgery

The aim of this study was to evaluate a policy of early discharge at 48 hours with suction drains in situ in a cohort of patients undergoing surgery for breast cancer and to compare this with a similar cohort of patients discharged 5 days postoperatively. This was an integrated qualitative/quantitative study using a questionnaire given to both groups providing comparable results by using averages and percentages to describe and synthesize the data. A questionnaire of open and closed questions was given to 19 patients who chose to be discharged at 48 hours with drains in situ, and 16 patients who opted to be discharged at 5 days after drain removal. The study demonstrated that patients regarded early discharge as being safe and were satisfied with their care when they were given a high level of support from hospital and community staff. The results also identified that it was important for patients to make their own decision about either early discharge or standard discharge in order to be satisfied with the outcome of their care.