Reduction of Pulmonary Complications and Hospital Length of Stay with a Clinical Care Pathway after Head and Neck Reconstruction

Abstract

Therapeutic, III.

Analysis of readmissions after transoral robotic surgery for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

“…By identifying aspiration/pneumonia as postoperative complications predisposing patients to readmission, targeted perioperative interventions may be designed to mitigate its risk. For example, prior studies have demonstrated how certain interventions (including incentive spirometry, chest physiotherapy, and oral care) can reduce postoperative pulmonary complications . In addition, a recent study demonstrated how the implementation of a standardized speech and language pathology‐driven postoperative swallowing assessment and intervention care pathway essentially eliminated 30‐day dysphagia‐related readmissions in TORS patients …”

“…For example, prior studies have demonstrated how certain interventions (including incentive spirometry, chest physiotherapy, and oral care) can reduce postoperative pulmonary complications. 42,43 In addition, a recent study demonstrated how the implementation of a standardized speech and language pathology-driven postoperative swallowing assessment and intervention care pathway essentially eliminated 30-day dysphagia-related readmissions in TORS patients. 20 There are limitations to this study and the results should only be interpreted in the context of its study design.…”

Understanding the impact of a clinical care pathway for major head and neck cancer resection on postdischarge healthcare utilization

“…Care pathways may have a beneficial postdischarge impact for a number of reasons. First, patients treated on a care pathway tend to have shorter hospitalizations and fewer complications . This could then result in a less complicated postdischarge course and, therefore, less postdischarge resource utilization.…”

“…Pathway patients who deviated from the pathway were included in all analyses. The details of the inpatient care pathway have been previously published …”

“…The details of the inpatient care pathway have been previously published. 10,11 Collection and analysis of healthcare utilization and costs…”