Parent perceptions of pediatric ambulatory surgery: using family feedback for program evaluation

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Healthcare Program Evaluation
• Patient Education

Background:

• Pediatric ambulatory surgery has expanded significantly.
• Limited nursing time challenges comprehensive care and education for surgical outpatients.
• Preoperative and postoperative teaching must now be condensed into a few hours.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a pediatric ambulatory surgical program at Mott Children's Hospital.
• To assess patient and family education, care quality, and follow-up.
• To identify areas for improvement in the outpatient surgical experience.

Main Methods:

• A formal evaluation of the ambulatory surgical program was conducted.
• Data collected from 332 families regarding preoperative and discharge preparation, postoperative issues, waiting times, stress, and privacy.
• Surveys assessed family preparedness, satisfaction with recovery, and perceived pain/nausea.

Main Results:

• 87% of families felt very prepared for surgery, and 97% felt prepared for discharge.
• Families attending a preoperative tour reported better preparation.
• 12% reported more pain and 10.4% more nausea/vomiting than expected; 25% perceived the experience as very stressful.
• Privacy was rated as fair to poor by 59% of families.

Conclusions:

• The program effectively prepares most families for pediatric outpatient surgery and discharge.
• Addressing patient stress, privacy concerns, and managing postoperative symptoms like pain and nausea are crucial for enhancing the experience.
• Further improvements can optimize care delivery and patient satisfaction in pediatric ambulatory settings.