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. 2019 Aug;24(5):318-322.
doi: 10.1093/pch/pxy177. Epub 2018 Dec 22.

Parental satisfaction with same-day discharge after laparoscopic appendectomy for uncomplicated appendicitis

Sandra Ngo  1 , Kristin Gee  1 , Lorrie Burkhalter  2 , Alana L Beres  1   2
Affiliations

Parental satisfaction with same-day discharge after laparoscopic appendectomy for uncomplicated appendicitis

Sandra Ngo et al. Paediatr Child Health. 2019 Aug.

Abstract

Objectives: Recent studies suggest that same-day discharge is safe for the paediatric population after various laparoscopic procedures. Same-day discharge is increasingly common after laparoscopic surgery for uncomplicated appendicitis although it is not standard practice. This prospective study aims to assess parental satisfaction with same-day discharge after laparoscopic appendectomy for uncomplicated appendicitis.

Methods: At our institution, 849 patients with uncomplicated acute appendicitis underwent laparoscopic appendectomy in 2016; of which, 382 were discharged on the same calendar day. Postdischarge surveys assessing parental satisfaction were administered by telephone at the 2-week follow-up.

Results: Approximately 65% of 185 total parental responses reported initial satisfaction with same-day discharge. About 30% were nervous at that time, and 5% did not feel ready to go home yet. Upon reflection, a higher proportion of parents (81.6%) felt same-day discharge was the appropriate course of action, 11.4% were unsure, and 7.0% would not do it again. Some parents cited concerns regarding pain control and incongruous expectations from conversations with staff or surgical experiences of their own.

Conclusions: The majority of parents recalled being happy at discharge, with an increase to 82% retrospectively. Only 7% of parents would not elect to go home on the same day again. Opportunities for improvement include a unified plan from all providers with expectations of same-day discharge if appendicitis is intraoperatively confirmed to be uncomplicated and better analgesic instructions at discharge.

Keywords: Ambulatory; Parental satisfaction; Same-day discharge; appendicitis; laparoscopic appendectomy.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Postdischarge survey script.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Parental responses to survey (graph). Q1: question 1, Q2: question 2.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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