Preoperative phone calls. Reducing cancellations in pediatric day surgery

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Quality Improvement
• Patient Education
• Surgical Care

Background:

• Preoperative patient preparation is crucial for surgical outcomes.
• Effective communication strategies can mitigate patient anxiety.
• Informed patients experience better surgical journeys.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of preoperative phone calls on patient experience.
• To assess the role of these calls in enhancing the quality of surgical care.
• To understand the effect on patient and family preparedness.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a structured preoperative phone call protocol.
• Data collection on patient-reported anxiety and information levels.
• Qualitative assessment of the teaching and learning experience.

Main Results:

• Preoperative calls served as a valuable teaching and learning opportunity.
• Significant enhancement in the overall quality of care was observed.
• Patients and their families reported feeling more relaxed and better informed.

Conclusions:

• Preoperative phone calls are an effective intervention for improving patient preparedness.
• This communication strategy positively impacts patient and family well-being.
• Enhanced patient education leads to a better surgical experience.