GYNOTEL: telephone advice to gynaecological surgical patients after discharge

Telenursing in the postoperative period: a scoping review

OBJECTIVES

to map available evidence on telenursing use in the postoperative period and its impact on patient outcomes.

METHODS

a scoping review, conducted according to the JBI model and the PRISMA-ScR checklist. The search was carried out in the CINAHL, Embase, LILACS, PubMed, Web of Science, SciELO, Scopus and Cochrane Library databases.

RESULTS

twelve studies were included, published between 2011 and 2023, 66.6% of which were in developed countries. Of the positive outcomes, we highlight improved levels of disability, autonomy and quality of life, lower rates of post-operative complications, pain and reduced costs. Telephone monitoring was the most widely used modality, but there were few studies in the pediatric context and in Brazil.

CONCLUSIONS

of the studies, 11 (91.6%) identified at least one positive outcome in telenursing use and none showed negative aspects in the postoperative period. The role of nurses in digital health needs further study.

Prevention of Postoperative Constipation in Urogynecology Patients: A Systematic Review

IMPORTANCE

Constipation is common after pelvic surgery, and studies suggest that surgeons underestimate the negative impact of constipation on patients. Patients undergoing pelvic reconstructive surgery are a unique population requiring special consideration in the prevention and management of constipation.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to systematically review the literature to identify evidence for prevention of postoperative constipation with medications or fiber in patients undergoing reconstructive pelvic surgery.

STUDY DESIGN

A structured literature search was performed of five databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library) from inception to June 2022 for studies of postoperative laxative or fiber use in adult patients undergoing benign pelvic reconstructive surgery. Studies of preoperative bowel preparation and nonsurgical patients were excluded. Data on postoperative constipation were extracted for a qualitative analysis of the literature. Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology was applied to assess the quality of evidence.

RESULTS

We identified 86 references after deduplication. Only 4 studies with a total of 344 patients were eligible for inclusion in the review. The included studies were all randomized controlled trials assessing time to first bowel movement with the earliest published in 2010. Laxative use decreased constipation more than placebo. Multiple-agent laxative use appeared to decrease bothersome constipation more than single-agent docusate. Preoperative fiber did not decrease constipation. By Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation criteria, all four studies provide moderate-quality evidence.

CONCLUSIONS

Few studies have investigated laxative regimens in patients after urogynecologic surgery. The available literature is moderate quality and suggests benefit of multiple-agent treatment over docusate only or no treatment.

Effect of prunes on gastrointestinal function after benign gynecological surgery: a randomized control trial

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of postoperative prune consumption on time to first bowel movement after benign gynecologic surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this randomized, open label, controlled trial, 77 adult women who had benign gynecologic surgery that required at least one night in the hospital were enrolled from July 2018 to April 2019. Participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to one of two groups using a randomization assignment: 4 oz prunes daily plus docusate sodium 100 g twice daily versus docusate alone. The study's primary objective was time to first bowel movement (BM). Secondary outcomes were pain associated with first BM, stool consistency using Bristol stool scale, and patient satisfaction with bowel regimen and surgery experience.

RESULTS

Postoperative survey data was available for 68.4% of participants (n = 52). There was no difference in time to first BM between the two groups (p = 0.29); however, consumption of > 12 prunes was associated with an increased likelihood of having a BM in the study period. Among women who consumed at least 12 prunes, hospital discharge was earlier, and there was a not statistically significant greater satisfaction with postoperative bowel regimen.

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of prunes to postoperative bowel regimen of docusate sodium may be a beneficial adjunct to postoperative bowel regimen.

CLINICAL TRIAL

The Institutional Review Board at the University of Southern California approved the study, and the study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (ID: NCT03523715).

Falling through the cracks: Evaluating the role of nonacute surgical liaison personnel during COVID-19-A narrative review

BACKGROUND

In March 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the New Zealand government instituted a 4-level alert system, which resulted in the rapid dissolution of nonurgent surgical services to minimize occupational exposure to both patients and staff, with the primary health sector bearing most of the diverted caseload. Consequently, the study authors sought to collate information around the establishment of a supportive nonacute surgical liaison role in a public hospital surgical department, with an interest in establishing this role in New Zealand.

METHODS

The narrative review conducted systematically in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Databases searched included Pubmed, MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials. A deductive analysis was applied using a demand management model developed by the Institute for Innovation and Improvement at Waitematā District Health Board. All included studies were rated using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Levels of Evidence tool.

RESULTS

Collation of 19 studies resulted in 3 key findings: first, that a surgical liaison could be utilized at the primary care to specialist interface to improve communication and workflow between services. Second, a liaison could be utilized directly communicating with patients as a means of increasing engagement and self-management. Finally, this service can be offered through multiple modalities including a noncontact telehealth service.

CONCLUSION

Evidence of nonacute surgical liaisons both internationally and specifically within New Zealand has been collated to provide evidence for its application.

Improving patient care in neurosurgery through postoperative telephone calls: a systematic review and lessons from all surgical specialties

OBJECTIVE

Postoperative telephone calls are a simple intervention that can be used to improve communication with patients, potentially affecting patient safety and satisfaction. Few studies in the neurosurgical literature have examined the effect of a postoperative telephone call on patient outcomes, although several exist across all surgical specialties. The authors performed a systematic review and analyzed studies published since 2000 to assess the effect of a postoperative telephone call or text message on patient safety and satisfaction across all surgical specialties.

METHODS

A search of PubMed-indexed articles was performed on June 12, 2021, and was narrowed by the inclusion criteria of studies from surgical specialties with > 50 adult patients published after 1999, in which a postoperative telephone call was made and its effects on safety and satisfaction were assessed. Exclusion criteria included dental, medical, and pediatric specialties; systematic reviews; meta-analyses; and non-English-language articles. Dual review was utilized.

RESULTS

Overall, 24 articles met inclusion criteria. The majority reported an increase in patient satisfaction scores after a postoperative telephone call was implemented, and half of the studies demonstrated an improvement in safety or outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, these studies demonstrate that implementation of a postoperative telephone call in a neurosurgical practice is a feasible way to enhance patient care. The major limitations of this study were the heterogeneous group of studies and the limited neurosurgery-specific studies.

Guidance for gynecologists utilizing telemedicine during COVID‐19 pandemic based on expert consensus and rapid literature reviews

Background

COVID‐19 has impacted delivery of outpatient gynecology and shifted care toward use of telemedicine.

Objective

To rapidly review literature and society guidelines and create expert consensus to provide guidance regarding management of outpatient gynecology scenarios via telemedicine.

Search strategy

Searches were conducted in Medline and Cochrane databases from inception through April 15, 2020.

Selection criteria

Literature searches were conducted for articles on telemedicine and abnormal uterine bleeding, chronic pelvic pain, endometriosis, vaginitis, and postoperative care. Searches were restricted to available English language publications.

Data collection and analysis

Expedited literature review methodology was followed and 10 943 citations were single‐screened. Full‐text articles and relevant guidelines were reviewed and narrative summaries developed.

Main results

Fifty‐one studies on the use of telemedicine in gynecology were found. Findings were reported for these studies and combined with society guidelines and expert consensus on four topics (abnormal uterine bleeding, chronic pelvic pain and endometriosis, vaginal discharge, and postoperative care).

Conclusions

Guidance for treating gynecological conditions via telemedicine based on expedited literature review, review of society recommendations, and expert consensus is presented. Due to minimal evidence surrounding telemedicine and gynecology, a final consensus document is presented here that can be efficiently used in a clinical setting.

Guidance for gynecologists using telemedicine during COVID‐19 based on rapid literature review, review of society recommendations, and expert consensus in accessible format.

Telephone follow-up of the elderly after cataract surgery

Study’s purpose:

To analyze the effectiveness of telephone intervention for the nursing diagnosis of delayed surgical recovery in older persons who have undergone cataract surgery.

Design:

Blinded, randomized, and controlled trial. A total of 95 patients of both sexes who were over 60 years old and had undergone cataract surgery were divided into an intervention group (48 patients) and a control group (47 patients), allocated using BioEstat 5.3 Software.

Results:

The intervention included postoperative follow-up recovery of cataracts and prevention of complications performed on the 1st, 4th, 10th, and 20th postoperative days. After the intervention, the intervention group had a decrease in the length of surgical recovery ( p = .000). The occurrence in the intervention group was 6.3%, while in the control group, it was 36.2% (odds ratio (OR) = 0.118; confidence interval (CI) = 1.02, 10.23). The number of nursing interventions nevertheless decreased during the telephone follow-up.

Conclusion:

For older persons, the telephone guidelines increase adherence to treatment, promote clinical improvement, promote surgical recovery over time, and improve independence and autonomy.