Literature review: Home recovery following day surgery

Mitchell, MJ

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the experiences of patients and caregivers in the early transition phase of recovery at home following day surgery.
Background: A global increase in elective day surgery has taken place over the last two decades. This has arisen from enhanced surgical and anaesthetic techniques, healthcare cost containment and patient preference. Minimal hospital stay ensures meticulously managed medical practices dominate leaving nursing-based knowledge limited room for expression. However, patients may require much help once discharged hence providing nurse-led involvement much potential.
Data Sources: Five databases from 2000 – 2011 were searched including MEDLINE, CINAHL, British Nursing Index, PsychINFO and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Reference and citation tracking was performed on included publications.
Review Methods: One reviewer screened titles and abstracts for possible inclusion over a 10 month period. Data synthesis involved thematic analysis informed by the findings of the included literature.
Results:
Twenty-five studies were included in the review. Common themes were pain, information provision and anxiety. Pain management was a concern exacerbated by reduced information. Much information had been forgotten due to latent effects of anaesthesia, limited opportunity on the day of surgery or information booklets lacking a problem-solving approach. Anxiety was associated with inadequate information, unexpected events or by carers striving to supervise a successful recovery.
Conclusions:
Recovery at home with limited access to healthcare professionals presented a number of challenges mostly relating to inadequate knowledge/ information. Future research should explore continued nurse/ patient contact, nurse-led support services and patient and carer information booklet content.

Citation

Mitchell, M. (2013). Literature review: Home recovery following day surgery

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2013
• Deposit Date: Mar 19, 2013
• Journal: Ambulatory Surgery Journal
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 19
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 13-27
• Publisher URL: http://www.iaas-med.com/index.php/ambulatory-surgery-journal
• Related Public URLs: http://www.iaas-med.com/images/stories/Journal/19.1/19.1MITCHELL.pdf