Quality improvement study of day surgery for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy patients

Ongoing efforts to contain costs in health care have had an impact on the delivery of care in the ambulatory setting. Many patients previously admitted to the hospital for an overnight stay are now discharged home within hours of surgery. In response to concerns raised by nursing staff about same-day discharge of patients undergoing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A), a quality improvement (QI) study was conducted. Data from more than 150 families over a 2-year period were collected, using the clinical indicator of safe discharge. The data were obtained during the patient's recovery room stay, the first post-operative day, and 2 weeks after surgery. Findings suggested that some of the teaching done by nurses was useful and some needed revision to meet patients' needs. Changes regarding pain management, fluid management, and post-operative bleeding were addressed.