1. Patient-Directed Home Drain Removal in Head and Neck Surgery.
- Author
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Sethia R, Freeman T, Mead K, Selhorst A, Vala K, Skoracki L, Adelman M, VanKoevering K, Kang SY, Ozer E, Agrawal A, Old MO, Carrau RL, Rocco JW, and Seim NB
- Subjects
- COVID-19 diagnosis, COVID-19 epidemiology, COVID-19 transmission, COVID-19 virology, Device Removal economics, Drainage methods, Efficiency, Emergency Service, Hospital statistics & numerical data, Female, Hematoma epidemiology, Hematoma etiology, Home Care Services trends, Humans, Infections epidemiology, Infections etiology, Male, Middle Aged, Neck Dissection statistics & numerical data, Patient Education as Topic standards, Patient Education as Topic trends, Postoperative Care statistics & numerical data, Prospective Studies, SARS-CoV-2 genetics, Safety, Seroma epidemiology, Seroma etiology, Time Factors, Device Removal adverse effects, Drainage instrumentation, Home Care Services statistics & numerical data, Neck Dissection methods, Patient Discharge standards, Postoperative Care instrumentation
- Abstract
Objectives/hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of at home drain removal in head and neck surgery patients., Methods: The study population included patients who underwent head and neck surgery at an academic tertiary care center between February 2020 and November 2020 and were discharged with one to four drains with instructions for home removal. Prior to discharge, patients received thorough drain removal education. Patients were prospectively followed to evaluate for associated outcomes., Results: One hundred patients were evaluated in the study. There was record for ninety-seven patients receiving education at discharge. The most common methods of education were face-to-face education and written instructions with educational video link provided. Of 123 drains upon discharge, 110 drains (89.4%) were removed at home while 13 (10.6%) were removed in office. Most drains were located in the neck (86.4%). There was one seroma, two hematomas, two drain site infections, and five ED visits; however, none of these complications were directly associated with the action of drain removal at home. Calculated cost savings for travel and lost wages was $259.82 per round trip saved., Conclusions: The results demonstrate that home drain removal can provide a safe and efficacious option for patients following head and neck surgery. This approach was safe and associated with patient cost savings and better utilization of provider's time. Furthermore, patients and healthcare providers avoided additional in-person encounters and exposures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings warrant further investigation into cost savings and formal patient satisfaction associated with home drain removal., Level of Evidence: 4 Laryngoscope, 131:2471-2477, 2021., (© 2021 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.)
- Published
- 2021
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