The Utility of Preoperative Phone Calls for Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Procedures

Abstract

Objective Perioperative patient education improves patient satisfaction, surgical outcomes, and can reduce postoperative call volume. Here, we investigate whether the use of standardized preoperative phone calls elicits similar results in patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Methods Patients undergoing ESS at a tertiary rhinology center were identified prospectively through the electronic medical record (EMR). In the intervention cohort, a standardized preoperative educational phone call was performed. A postoperative survey was utilized to collect self-assessment of satisfaction and understanding in all patients. Postoperative call rates were obtained from the EMR. Wilcoxon rank sum and chi-squared analyses were conducted to compare results. Demographics of the otology and rhinology cohorts were compared with a Mann Whitney U-test. Results Data from 43 cases and 58 controls were collected. Patients receiving the intervention were similar to controls with regard to patient-reported understanding (case:9.1 ± 1.1 vs control:9.0 ± 1.4, p = 0.801) and satisfaction (case:9.4 ± 1.1 vs 8.9 ± 1.4, p = 0.155). Both cases and controls called the clinic regarding surgical outcomes more often than for postoperative medications or administrative concerns. Independent of receiving the intervention, patients that did not call clinic postoperatively had significantly better understanding of their procedures (call:8.6 ± 1.6 vs no-call:9.5 ± 1.0, p < 0.015) and satisfaction with their experience (call:8.8 ± 1.4 vs no-call:9.5 ± 1.1, p < 0.028). Patient age may contribute to lack of impact in the rhinology cohort, as compared to the otology group, but socioeconomic status does not seem to differentiate the two samples. Conclusion Though shown in other settings, a significant impact of educational phone calls prior to surgery was not observed in this sample. Patient education calls prior to endoscopic sinus surgery were not associated with changes in postoperative call volume to the clinic. Patient understanding and satisfaction may be related to other factors, such as patient selection or demographics. Future studies may target such patients prior to ESS.

Gender-Specific Differences in Preoperative Concerns in Patients Undergoing Endoscopic Sinus Surgery for Chronic Rhinosinusitis

“…The study found that preoperative phone calls did not affect patient satisfaction or postoperative call volume. 9 Further research is needed to evaluate targeted interventions to minimize preoperative concerns among patients and assess whether preoperative concerns are associated with ESS surgical outcomes.…”

Reflecting on the Work of the Giants That Come Before You

“…4 Fiorenza et al, continue the long honored, but often forgotten, art of anatomical analysis through the interpretation of radiographic images 5 , and McKeon et al, return to the regularly lost art of simply speaking to their patients, as they analyze whether or not preoperative phone calls can actually improve outcomes and decrease questions after endoscopic sinus surgery. 6 It is incredible to think that over the past 30 years, the safety of general anesthesia has increased almost 60-fold, and Levi et al, examine whether pushing the age boundaries of elective anesthesia for endoscopic sinus surgery aligns with that trend-a point of importance for the large segment of our aging population. 7 It is also curious to see how comorbidities affect nonsurgical outcomes as Suh et al, examines BMI as it relates to histamine response 8 , and Amarbir et al, examine the functional comorbidity index and its relation to chronic rhinosinusitis.…”