Impact of caregiver overnight stay on postoperative outcomes Journal Article


Authors: Griffin, S.; McGrath, L.; Chesnut, G. T.; Benfante, N.; Assel, M.; Ostrovsky, A.; Levine, M.; Vickers, A.; Simon, B.; Laudone, V.
Article Title: Impact of caregiver overnight stay on postoperative outcomes
Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to determine the impact of having a patient-designated caregiver remain overnight with ambulatory extended recovery patients on early postoperative clinical outcomes. Design/methodology/approach: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing surgery requiring overnight stay in a highly resourced free-standing oncology ambulatory surgery center. Postoperative outcomes in patients who had caregivers stay with them overnight were compared with outcomes in those who did not. All other care was standardized. Primary outcomes were postoperative length of stay, hospital readmission rates, urgent care center (UCC) visits within 30 days and perioperative complication rates. Findings: Among patients staying overnight, 2,462 (57 percent) were accompanied by overnight caregivers. In this group, time to discharge was significantly lower. Readmissions (though rare) were slightly higher, though the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.059). No difference in early (<30 day) complications or UCC visits was noted. Presence of a caregiver overnight was not associated with important differences in outcomes, though further research in a less well-structured environment is likely to show a more robust benefit. Caregivers are still recommended to stay overnight if that is their preference as no harm was identified. Originality/value: This study is unique in its evaluation of the clinical impact of having a caregiver stay overnight with ambulatory surgery patients. Little research has focused on the direct impact of the caregiver on patient outcomes, especially in the ambulatory setting. With increased adoption of minimally invasive surgical techniques and enhanced recovery pathways, a larger number of patients are eligible for short-stay ambulatory surgery. Factors that impact discharge and early postoperative complications are important. © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited.
Keywords: evidence-based practice; patient safety; clinical effectiveness; effectiveness; continuous quality improvement; health and safety
Journal Title: International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance
Volume: 33
Issue: 1
ISSN: 0952-6862
Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing Ltd  
Date Published: 2019-01-01
Start Page: 18
End Page: 26
Language: English
DOI: 10.1108/ijhcqa-12-2018-0282
PUBMED: 31940152
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC7359375
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 2 March 2020 -- Source: Scopus
Altmetric
Citation Impact
BMJ Impact Analytics
MSK Authors
  1. Vincent Laudone
    137 Laudone
  2. Andrew J Vickers
    882 Vickers
  3. Melissa Jean Assel
    110 Assel
  4. Nicole E Benfante
    161 Benfante
  5. Marcia R Levine
    20 Levine
  6. Brett Andrew Simon
    50 Simon
  7. Gregory Thomas Chesnut
    19 Chesnut