Process of Post-operative Telephone Follow-up Implementation for Mohs Micrographic Surgery: A Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Surgical Outcomes
• Patient Monitoring

Background:

• Postoperative complications following Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) require effective monitoring.
• Current follow-up methods may not consistently capture early complications or patient concerns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe and evaluate the implementation of a routine telephone follow-up (TFU) system.
• To assess the effectiveness of TFU in capturing postoperative complications in MMS patients.

Main Methods:

• A two-phase telephone follow-up protocol was implemented post-MMS.
• Phase 1: Call within 24-48 hours for bleeding, swelling, pain.
• Phase 2: Call at one week for wound care, infection signs, and other concerns.

Main Results:

• Successful contact rates were 75.4% (24-48 hours) and 66.5% (1 week).
• Major complication rates were low: 0.4% for bleeding and 0.4% for infection.
• Average call duration was approximately three minutes per patient.

Conclusions:

• Telephone follow-up (TFU) is a practical and efficient method.
• TFU aids in assessing and mitigating postoperative complications after Mohs micrographic surgery.
• This system enhances postoperative care for MMS patients.