follow-up phone calls after daystay discharge from PACU

bklynbaby · Nov 10, 2009

We also do follow up post operative phone calls. Apparently they did research and found that patients that recieved follow up calls had a more favorable view of their stay with us. We call all ambulatory surgical patients the next day. We call up to three times in an effort to reach the patient or a care giver. Common questions include pain, nausea/vomiting, mobility, eating and surgical site. We also reinforce or clarify discharge instructions with the patient.

We have a discharge post op call sheet that we fill out for each patient. We aim to call every patient but it gets busy so sometimes when can not get to everyone.

What does your PACU do on busy days when post op calls can not be done?

Laney123 · Nov 14, 2009

Hi there,

We too do post op follow up calls. We are not always able to get to the calls the next day, although that is the ideal. We have upto 72 hours to call patients. We do only one call for each patient.

Mimi2RN, ASN, RN · Nov 15, 2009

I recently had surgery through our one day unit. The following day there was a f/u phone call, unfortunately I was in the shower, with my husband's assistance. We never heard the phone and they didn't call back, although the person who called said she would. So, I don't know who calls, I just know they do!

All4Seasons · Nov 15, 2009

Our Periop program does not currently call Day Surgery pts -sounds like an excellent idea,but I don't think we'll ever see it here - too many pts,too few nurses. We do,in our teaching though,when we discharge from PACU to home,give a list all of the resources available to a pt if a problem develops postop.

If we did have such a program - it wouldn't be PACU who calls them,it would be the Post Recovery Lounge (Phase 2) nurses.

thisismylicense.rn · Nov 27, 2009

I also work in a SDS unit and we have the discharge area (Phase II) call all the patients the next day 'to check in.' We use the same questionnaire as bklynbaby and use the call to reinforce dressing information and when their follow up appointment is. I find that it helps to explain to patients right before they are discharged that we are required to call them and ask them what phone number we can reach them at. I give them our number so they know from Caller ID that we are not solicitators :)

Most patients are very appreciative of this service and it does allow them to clarify any discharge instructions they may have. It can also save someone an unnecessary trip to the ED (they may think one drip pad saturated with blood after sinus surgery is a lot.)

From my own personal experience, I feel that the routine post op call saved me from tremendous pain and further injury. I had knee surgery and was sent home the same day. Constant ice and elevation did nothing to relieve my severe pain and I knew I was taking the pain meds every 3hrs instead of 4hrs. But I did not think to call the doctor because I assumed pain was to be expected. The nurse called around 2pm the next day and asked the routine questions. She must have been immediately concerned by my responses because she asked if I could get to the doctor's office in an hour. Her experience led her to calling the doctor's office and getting me an emergent appointment. I went in to have 300ccs of blood drained and further medications to relieve spasms. I so thank that nurse because I was in no condition to help myself and have better judgment to call the doc (due to pain and pain meds!)

I try to remember this everytime I make that follow up call and have patience with the patients in order to determine if they need a referral.

rstrainRN · Dec 11, 2009

We currently do follow up calls the day after, also use a script with standard questions. We'll call up to three times, or at least leave three messages before completing the call altogether. Any issues found during the follow up call get forwarded to our nurse manager and then on to the surgeon's office.