Telehealth for general surgery postoperative care

Abstract

Background: Telehealth utilization rapidly increased following the pandemic. However, it is not widely used in the Veteran surgical population. We sought to evaluate postoperative telehealth in patients undergoing general surgery.

Methods: Retrospective review of Veterans undergoing general surgery at a level 1A VA Medical Center from June 2019 to September 2021. Exclusions were concomitant procedure(s), discharge with drains or non-absorbable sutures/staples, complication prior to discharge or pathology positive for malignancy.

Results: 1075 patients underwent qualifying procedures, 124 (12 ​%) were excluded and 162 (17 ​%) did not have follow-up. 443 (56 ​%) patients followed-up in-person (56 ​%) vs 346 (44 ​%) via telehealth. Telehealth patients had a lower rate of complications, 6 ​% vs 12 ​%, p ​= ​0.013. There were no significant differences in ED visits, 30-day readmission, postoperative procedures or missed adverse events.

Conclusion: Telehealth follow-up after general surgical procedures is safe and effective. Postoperative telehealth care should be considered after low-risk general surgery procedures.

Keywords: Adverse events; Complications; General surgery; Telehealth; Veteran.