OGBN P21 Improving patient satisfaction with discharge information after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a quality improvement project

Abstract

Abstract Background With the rise in day case surgery, there has been an increase in both nurse-led discharge and patient turnover. Patients recovering from anaesthesia frequently retain less, therefore information delivered to patients regarding post-operative recovery is sometimes lost or forgotten. The aim of this quality improvement project was to improve both the quality of information and the patient satisfaction with the information provided to them upon discharge following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods Patient satisfaction was assessed using questionnaires at baseline and following each Plan- Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle. In PDSA 1, a generic discharge summary delivering standard post-operative instructions, was distributed to patients on discharge. For PDSA 2, a detailed leaflet, encompassing information requested by previously surveyed patients, entitled “going home after your gall-bladder surgery” was provided in addition to the discharge summaries. Results At baseline we found all patients were receiving some sort of discharge information after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Key information such as wound care, dietary advice and expected pain, was frequently missed. We found that patients were not satisfied, with an average reported satisfaction of 55%. After PDSA 1 patient satisfaction rose to 66%. However,the generic discharge summary missed advice for patients going home with drains and driving advice. With introduction of the detailed leaflet, patient reported satisfaction reached 100%. Conclusions Introducing detailed discharge leaflets improved the patient satisfaction with the information they received on discharge. We anticipate this will in turn reduce patient concerns and need to seek further medical attention. Similar leaflets can be distributed for day case operations such as hernias. This serves as a useful measure to aid patient recovery at home and supports a high turnover day case surgery list.