P2.06-040 WINNERS Study: Does a Formal Interactive Patient Education Program Positively Impact Patient Outcomes and Satisfaction after Thoracic Surgery: Topic: LAB, Other

Abstract

Post-operative complications in the thoracic surgery patient population can be costly to healthcare systems and devastating to patients and their families. The most common complications are respiratory, cardiac and gastrointestinal in nature. It is estimated that these complications occur at a rate of 3-5%. In an effort to improve patient outcomes, a nurse led multidisciplinary team developed and implemented the WINNERS Study (Walking with INtegrated Nursing, Exercise, Respiratory/Rehab Services), designed to determine if a formal pre-operative/perioperative interactive patient education program would positively impact patient outcomes and improve satisfaction following thoracic surgery. All general thoracic surgery patients undergo informed consent and are randomized to current standard of care verbal pre-operative teaching vs pre-operative/perioperative interactive patient education program. The multidisciplinary team developed formal patient educational materials, written and audiovisual, used to educate and prepare patients for what they should expect post-operatively with respect to the importance of secretion management, ambulation, general aspects of what to expect after surgery and the importance of their active participation in their post-operative recovery. The study design is outlined in Figure 1. The endpoints include length of stay, reintubation rates, pneumonia incidence, quality of life measurements, physical function measurements (PFT / 6min walk / total steps). Patient satisfaction is measures with the Quality of Life Instrument, SF-36 at pre-determined time-points. Patients are currently actively enrolling into the study without any recruitment issues or adverse events.The preliminary analysis demonstrates a favorable impact on patient outcomes and improved patient satisfaction. This study is ongoing.