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

Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe and evaluate the process of implementing a routine telephone follow-up (TFU) system for capturing postoperative complications or concerns among Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) patients. Design: Postoperatively, patients were called twice: 1) within 24 to 48 hours to assess bleeding, swelling, and pain control; and 2) at one week to assess wound care, signs of infection, or other concerns. Setting: The study took place in a single-institution academic dermatology department with five fellowship-trained Mohs surgeons. Participants: Study subjects included patients undergoing MMS during a two-month period. Measurements: Data regarding completed TFU rate, time to complete calls, and patient-reported complication rates were collected and analyzed. Results: Of 349 MMS patients, 263 (75.4%) were successfully contacted during the 24- to 48-hour follow-up window and 232 (66.5%) at the one week interval. Major complication rates were 0.4 percent (n=1) for bleeding and 0.4 percent (n=1) for infection; both were treated by their respective Mohs surgeon. Timed calls averaged approximately three minutes per encounter. Conclusion: TFU is practical and efficient for assessing and mitigating MMS postoperative complications.