Patient satisfaction with 23-hour "short-stay" observation following breast cancer surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To determine what problems patients undergoing breast cancer surgery experienced following discharge after participating in a 23-hour short-stay observation program and to explore their perceptions of the short-stay experience.


METHODS
Descriptive and exploratory.


METHODS
A comprehensive cancer center in an urban setting.


METHODS
52 women undergoing modified radical mastectomy, segmental mastectomy (lumpectomy) with axillary node dissection, simple mastectomy, or other breast procedures.


METHODS
Telephone interviews 24-72 hours and 7-10 days after discharge using questionnaires developed by the investigators.


METHODS
Postoperative difficulties, satisfaction with pain relief, positive and negative aspects of the short-stay process, and discharge to home.


RESULTS
Most patients had no difficulty with drain and incision care (84%), reported satisfactory analgesic relief with their prescribed medications (> 95%), and were prepared to leave the hospital on first postoperative day (85%). Patient education and care provided by physicians and nurses were highly rated. Although most responses were highly favorable, some women desired longer hospitalization (21%) and greater privacy while on the observation unit (13%).


CONCLUSIONS
By coordinating inpatient and outpatient services, short-stay observation following breast cancer surgery can be accomplished in a safe environment that patients perceive to be satisfactory and of high quality.


CONCLUSIONS
Short-stay observation is feasible for appropriately prepared postoperative patients who normally are managed on traditional impatient units.
Burke
C C
CC
Sarcoma Center, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, USA.
Zabka
C L
CL
McCarver
K J
KJ
Singletary
S E
SE
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008408:Mastectomy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications