WTP8.7 Patient Reported Outcome Measures- Assessment of Breast Day Case Surgery treatment pathway

Abstract

Abstract Day Case Surgery is an advancement in patient care and efficiency for hospitals. The success of day surgery is dependent on the patient’s experience of the pathway. The usefulness of PROMS is dependant on the questions asked and the “comments box” that encourages any other patient related incidences to be conveyed. Method All patients undergoing day case breast surgery were assessed using PROMs to validate the surgical pathway with respect to pain control since patients were requested in advance to purchase simple over the counter analgesia to take according to their own requirements and hospital prescribed discharge analgesia was discontinued. Results All patients felt that their pain control immediately after surgery was good, no patients recorded that the pain kept them awake, all felt the pain was well controlled having left hospital and none felt they needed stronger pain relief. Importantly none sought medical help for pain from another source and all rated the service as good. One patient stayed overnight for medical reasons and stated that this was a necessary and acceptable outcome in the circumstances. Three patients experienced sore throats and two had post -operative nausea / vomiting and dizziness. Despite these experiences all stated they liked having day case surgery. Discussion PROMS allows patient feedback of the treatment pathway and enables reflection and further improvement to be achieved. The results support discontinuation of medication on discharge and patient self-medication with over the counter analgesia is acceptable and does not result in seeking pain relief from other sources.