Authors (including presenting author) :
Hung OL, Chang WYE, Ng WY, Chung WTE, Lee QJ and Wong YC
Affiliation :
Yan Chai Hospital
Introduction :
The length of stay is becoming shorter following fast-track total joint replacement surgery. Since wound pain, swelling, edema, and bruise are the common postoperative problems following total joint replacement surgery, they could induce psychological distress and affect the recovery process after discharge. Even worse, unnecessary readmission can occur if the patients can not manage those problems by themselves. The chance is higher if patients fail to remember the discharge information received from the nurses.
Objectives :
To monitor patient’s post-operative progress
To promote recovery
To reduce the unplanned readmission
Methodology :
The post-discharge telephone hotline was developed and implemented since mid-January 2019. An information leaflet about the telephone hotline was distributed to the patient upon their discharge. Two designated nurses were responsible for replying phone calls. Additional follow-up in a nurse-led clinic would be provided if necessary.
Result & Outcome :
A total of 39 telephone inquiries were received from 15 Jan 2019 to 30 June 2019. The most common reasons for the telephone calls were the swelling (33%), wound pain (28%) of the operated limbs and anti-embolism stockings related problems (14%). The unplanned readmission rate decreased from 3.8% in 2017 to 2.1% in the study period.
The telephone hotline does benefit patients and minimizes unnecessary doctor consultation and rehospitalization. A more extended period of study is needed to compare the unplanned readmission rate between the periods with or without the telephone hotline.
