Lindsey A. McAlarnen, MD, MSc; Jenna E. Maurer, MD; Amy Knaub, BSN; Elizabeth Hopp, MD; Kristen Streitenberger, PA-C; Erin Bishop, MD; William Bradley, MD; Janet Rader, MD; Denise Uyar, MD
WMJ. 2022;121(3):243-246
ABSTRACT
Background: We implemented a low-cost education initiative to improve the rate of same-day discharge following hysterectomy performed for malignancy and assessed feasibility and impact on resource utilization.
Methods: Development and implementation of faculty, patient, clinical, and perioperative staff education regarding the goal of same-day discharge for patients undergoing robotic hysterectomy and staging by gynecologic oncologists was started in July 2019. Chart review of 103 patients prior to the intervention and 112 patients after the start of the intervention was completed.
Results: The rate of same-day discharge increased from 5% to 32% following the low-cost process change initiative, and a total of approximately 682 inpatient care hours were saved per 31 patients.
Discussion: The rate of same-day discharges after hysterectomy and staging performed by gynecologic oncologists can be safely increased with a simple educational intervention, which can save significant patient care resources.