Postoperative robotic telerounding: a multicenter randomized assessment of patient outcomes and satisfaction.
OBJECTIVE
Patient safety and satisfaction are adversely affected when robotic videoconferencing (telerounding) is used in the postoperative setting.


METHODS
Randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
Three academic institutions.


METHODS
A total of 270 adults undergoing a urologic procedure requiring a hospital stay of 24 to 72 hours were randomized to receive either traditional bedside rounds or robotic telerounds.


METHODS
The primary outcome measure was postoperative patient morbidity. Secondary outcomes were patient-reported satisfaction and hospital length of stay. Other variables assessed included demographics, procedure, operative time, estimated blood loss, and mortality. Patients also completed a validated satisfaction instrument 2 weeks after hospital discharge.


RESULTS
Patients were equally distributed based on the baseline demographic and operative measures. Morbidity rates were similar between the study arms (standard rounds vs telerounds: 16% vs 13%; P = .64). Length of stay was similar in both arms (standard rounds vs telerounds: 2.8 vs 2.8 days; P = .94). In addition, patient satisfaction was equivalently high in both arms of the study.


CONCLUSIONS
Robotic telerounds matched the performance of standard bedside rounds after urologic surgical procedures. Virtual visits did not result in missed or increased postoperative complications. Hospital length of stay and ratings of hospital satisfaction were on par with those for traditional rounding.
Ellison
Lars M
LM
Department of Urology, Penobscot Bay Medical Center, 3 Glen Cove Dr, Ste 3, Rockport, ME 04856, USA. lellison@penbayhealthcare.org
Nguyen
Mike
M
Fabrizio
Michael D
MD
Soh
Ann
A
Permpongkosol
Sompol
S
Kavoussi
Louis R
LR
D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012371:Robotics; D017216:Telemedicine; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures