Home next day: early discharge of children following appendicectomy

Abstract

Fifty-six children in two groups were discharged within 24 hours of an uncomplicated appendicectomy. While the children in the first group (N = 21) were visited by a nurse at home within 24 hours of discharge, the second group (N = 35) just received telephone calls. The cohort was evaluated by telephone interviews two weeks after discharge. All children fulfilling the discharge standards were discharged safely within 24 hours of surgery. Any physical complaints post-discharge were considered minor. The nurses were able to provide reassurance to the families, give advice and deal with minor problems. As a result the families felt safe and reassured, and in only one case did the fragility of parental confidence become obvious. This study has demonstrated the safety of discharging these children within 24 hours of surgery and the value to nursing contacts in enabling the families to care for their children at home.