Release of study on recovery period following day surgery

24/11/98

A new study on the recovery period following day surgery will enable health care services to be more responsive to patients' needs, according to Health Minister John Day.

Releasing the study today, Mr Day said it was Western Australia's first research project to determine how well patients and their carers managed at home following day surgery. The study was conducted by the Nursing Research Unit at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.

"The study has uncovered valuable information that will assist health care professionals to tailor day surgery procedures to the specific requirements of patients and their carers," the Minister said.

"This is particularly important since day surgery is an increasing trend in patient care that will be used by a greater numbers of patients."

Mr Day said the State Government was committed to increasing day surgery procedures which would have an impact on reducing patient waiting times for elective surgery.

WA hospitals, including Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, aimed to treat 50 per cent to 60 per cent of elective surgery as day cases by the Year 2000. Currently 35 per cent of all surgery procedure performed in WA hospitals was day surgery.

A total of 124 patients participated in the first phase of the study to assess how they managed over a 10-day period after being discharged from hospital.

Patients were asked to keep a diary for four days and after 10 days participate in a follow-up phone call. The patient diary and telephone survey covered issues such as the patient's level of tiredness, mobility, and their ability to eat and drink.

On a clinical nature, patients were asked about levels of pain, nausea, and how they managed their wound care.

Lifestyle issues were also assessed which included asking patients whether they experienced any difficulties with driving, dressing, shopping, housework, attending to hygiene needs, and looking after their children.

The findings revealed that:

·      89 per cent of patients were glad to have had day surgery and 11 per cent of patients would have preferred to stay in hospital overnight;

·      54 per cent of day surgery patients required a carer for two days or less. A further 24 per cent needed a carer for three to five days, while 22 per cent needed a carer for seven to 10 days post surgery;

·      one in four patients thought their day surgery recovery was slower than they expected. However, the majority (65 per cent) stated their recovery was either about what they expected or faster; and -

·      17 per cent of patients accessed health care professionals such as GPs, physiotherapists or clinic nurses while recovering. Reasons for accessing them included requesting pain relief, assistance with wound care or requiring exercise programs from the physiotherapist.

Mr Day said as a result of this study, patients and carers would be given more specific information on how to better manage their recovery period and the types of signs and symptoms they would commonly experience.

Media contact: Mark Thompson 9213 6600