A retrospective study on telephone follow-up of anterior colporrhaphy by a specialized nurse

This research highlights the diversity in outcome reporting for prolapse, incontinence, and overactive bladder after an intervention in the last year of publications alone. This can lead to serious challenges in the generation of higher order evidence, such as systematic reviews and meta-analyses. As a subspecialty, we need to aim for more cohesive reporting so as to allow for robust comparison and evidence dissemination.

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Prospective and retrospective study of videoconference telemedicine follow-up after elective neurosurgery: results of a pilot program

Reider-Demer

Raja

Martin

et al. 2017

Neurosurg Rev

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Existing literature suggests that use of telemedicine during postoperative appointments can increase access to care and is valued by patients and providers alike. While research examining the clinical equivalency of telemedicine visits for postoperative care has been growing, few studies have reported on telemedicine follow-up after neurosurgery. This study examined if a videoconferencing visit could substitute for an in-person clinic visit for elective neurosurgical cases in the USA. This was a single-center prospective study of patients who underwent elective neurosurgical procedures (aneurysm clipping, resection of cavernous angiomas, resection of arterial venous malformation, microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia and hemifacial spasm, and certain benign brain tumors) and were offered telemedicine follow-up care by an allied health professional during the first 90 days after neurosurgery. Prospective data was compared to a historical group of patients who underwent the same procedures and received in-person postoperative follow-up. Patients in the prospective group were contacted by telephone 2-6 weeks after surgery by a nurse practitioner and assessed using a standard template that included incidence of reported postoperative seizures, fever, and performance of activities of daily living. Primary outcome measures included percentage of patients accepting telemedicine, clinical and functional status, complications, patient satisfaction, patient travel time and distance, and rates of emergency room care or hospitalization within 90 days of discharge. Ninety-nine patients were included in the study, with 57 in the prospective group and 42 in the historical group. Of the 57 prospective patients, 47 accepted telemedicine in lieu of an in-person clinic visit. Emergency room visits and readmission rates at 30 and 90 days postoperatively did not differ significantly between the study groups, nor was there any significant difference in clinical variables that were recorded in the electronic medical record more than 80% of the time. This study demonstrates the safety and value of telemedicine as an alternative method of postoperative clinical care for patients undergoing elective neurosurgery. Telemedicine avoids unnecessary travel time and was welcomed by the majority of patients without compromising clinical or functional outcomes.

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A retrospective study on telephone follow-up of anterior colporrhaphy by a specialized nurse

Abstract: Selecting uncomplicated cases for a nurse telephone follow-up after cystocele operation is feasible in a majority of cases. This allows doctors to see more new patients and focus on difficult cases, as well as saving time and money.

Cited by 7 publications

References 12 publications

Patient Satisfaction With Nurse-Led Telephone Follow-up in an Ambulatory Setting

Patient Satisfaction With Nurse-Led Telephone Follow-up in an Ambulatory Setting

Heterogeneity in post-intervention prolapse and urinary outcome reporting: a one-year review of the International Urogynecology Journal

Prospective and retrospective study of videoconference telemedicine follow-up after elective neurosurgery: results of a pilot program

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