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Patient Engagement With an Electronic Patient-Reported Outcomes Tool Evaluating Hospital Discharge Readiness After
Jennifer R Cracchiolo1, Richard S Matulewicz2, Norma E Farrow3
1Head and Neck Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.
Purpose:
Patients undergoing cancer surgery often face complex, multidisciplinary needs related to recovery and discharge. The aim of this study was to develop and assess the adoption of an electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePRO) tool, Goals to Discharge (G2D), to improve discharge planning and recovery following colorectal and thoracic cancer surgeries.
Methods:
We developed the G2D tool using a mixed-methods approach incorporating feedback from patients, clinicians, and stakeholders. Survey items were selected through a stepwise process aligned with Enhanced Recovery After Surgery pathways. Hospitalized patients recovering from colorectal or thoracic surgeries at a tertiary cancer center were prompted to complete the G2D tool on postoperative day 1 until discharge. Adoption factors were analyzed for associations with patient engagement and postoperative length of stay (LOS).
Results:
Among 3,878 patients, the G2D tool had an adoption rate of 31% (1,190 patients with at least 1 survey response). Factors such as age, American Society of Anesthesia (ASA) score, primary language, and prolonged recovery room stays influenced adoption. Respondents to the G2D tool had a 3.7% reduction in the risk of prolonged LOS compared with nonrespondents ([95% CI, 0.84 to 6.5]; P = .011).
Conclusion:
The G2D ePRO tool enhanced communication between patients and clinical teams, contributing to improved discharge planning and recovery. Respondents to the tool had a significantly lower risk of prolonged hospital stays after surgery. Further research is needed to refine digital discharge tools and explore strategies for optimizing recovery preparation.
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