Home recovery following day surgery: A patient perspective

Abstract

Aim: Investigate aspects of care potentially most influencing home recovery following day surgery.Background: Elective surgery undertaken on a day case basis is expanding. Many medical aspects of recovery have been investigated although less is known about the psycho-social view of post-discharge recovery. Greater insight into such issues are required for the development of a more co-ordinated nurse-led approach.Design: Cross-sectional questionnaire.Method: As part of a larger study, questionnaires were distributed to 2,401 adult patients on the day of operation (Sept 2010 - Oct 2011) to examine patients experiences of psycho-social recovery. Participants were requested to complete and return the questionnaire by mail 1 week after surgery with 684 returned.Results: 85% were fully prepared for all events during home recovery. Satisfaction with pre- and post-operative surgical information was high although less so anaesthetic information . Using factor analysis Pre-operative Information, Pain Management, Post-discharge Information, Anxiety Management, Post-operative Nausea and Vomiting, Help and Rest once Home were central features. Multiple regression demonstrated pre- and post-operative information provision to have a statistically significant positive associated with patients’ being ‘fully prepared for all events during home recover’. Unsatisfactory pain management, increased anxiety and reduce help once home had a statistically significant negative association with patients’ being ‘fully prepared for all events during home recovery’.Conclusions: Focusing on the delivery of surgical and anaesthetic information, managing pain and anxiety and ensuring support once home may help to enhance recovery. A more comprehensive plan embracing such aspects could help enhance the day surgery patients’ experience.Relevance to Practice: Increased satisfaction and surgical/ anaesthetic information are central to the continued success of minimal stay surgery. A broader hospital/ home strategy is required as too frequently nursing care can become fragmented between the pre-operative out-patient visit, pre-assessment, day of surgery and post-operative out-patient visit