The Impact of Surgical Continuity of Care on Postoperative Outcomes and Hospital Readmissions: A Review

This review stems from the rising fragmentation of surgical care as care tends to get transferred among several teams and between several providers, leaving patients confused and unsatisfied. This fragmentation can lead to worse clinical outcomes, especially among high risks surgery patients. The review aims to examine how continuity of surgical care affects recovery, complication management, and patient satisfaction. Comprehensive discharge planning, individualized patient education, timely follow-up (especially with the operating surgeon or through home visits by familiar providers), and the integration of Advanced Practice Providers can substantially reduce readmissions. While common, follow-up phone calls alone were not consistently sufficient to reduce readmissions. Care fragmentation, particularly the absence of surgeon care continuity during readmission, has been independently associated with increased 30-day mortality and a longer time to receive necessary interventions. Technological interventions like telemedicine offer promising avenues for remote monitoring, education, and consultation, leading to improved patient satisfaction, reduced costs, and lower readmission rates across various surgical specialties. Additionally, peer mentoring programs can effectively reduce patient anxiety and facilitate earlier communication of complications, even if this results in an increase in beneficial early readmissions. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols have also demonstrated effectiveness in shortening length of stay and improving recovery. This review reinforces the critical importance of understanding and improving SCOC as a cornerstone of patient-centered care. By bridging the gap between hospital discharge and home recovery, effective SCOC interventions can demonstrably improve patient outcomes, reduce burdensome readmissions, enhance patient satisfaction, and elevate overall quality of life. The complexity of the concept of continuity of care, affecting clinical, informational, and relational dimensions, pinpoints the necessity of the join and concerted efforts at the healthcare continuum.