Telephone follow-up for pediatric ambulatory surgery: parent and provider satisfaction

Abstract

Traditional 4- to 6-week clinic follow-up after pediatric ambulatory surgery does not rapidly identify complications and is often a burden for parents. Telephone follow-up offers support and is preferred in a variety of adult populations, but there is little research in pediatrics to support this practice. This article describes a practice change involving a standardized telephone follow-up protocol by a pediatric nurse practitioner to parents within 1 week of their child's ambulatory surgery. An interview survey method was used to evaluate parent satisfaction with telephone follow-up and desire for a clinic visit. Staff satisfaction and resource utilization are also described.