Impact of post-discharge phone calls on non-urgent hospital returns < 90 days following primary bariatric surgery

Introduction Quality of care delivery may improve patient outcomes post-bariatric surgery. We examined the quality of post-discharge phone calls (Ph-DC) to determine the impact on early (< 90 day) non-urgent hospital returns (NUHR) following primary bariatric surgery. Methods A retrospective review was performed on patients who underwent Roux-en-Y-gastric bypass (RYGB) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG) in 2019. Patients were compared between presence of care coaching (Jan-June 2019) versus no care coaching (July-Dec 2019). Baseline demographics, comorbidities, psychiatric history, and Ph-DC were collected. Index Ph(DC)s were coded for completeness using a scoring system and rated by call quality. Patients were stratified into NUHR versus control group (Never returns [NR]). Primary analysis examined the impact of Ph-DC on NUHR. Sub-analysis examined the impact of call quality. Univariate analysis was performed using Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests. Multivariate analysis (MVA) was used to determine predictors of NUHR. A p-value of <= 0.05 was statistically significant. Results A total of 359 patients were included. Compared to the NR group (n = 294), NUHRs (n = 65) were more likely to be younger (41.3 + 12.1 versus 45.0 + 10.8 years, p = 0.024), with baseline anxiety (41.5% versus 23.5%, p = 0.003), and undergo RYGB (73.3% versus 57.8%, p = 0.031). There was a significant difference in number of Ph-DC in the NUHR and NR groups (p = 0.0206). Care-coached patients had significantly higher rates of high-quality phone calls (p < 0.0001) compared to non-care-coached patients. MVA demonstrated younger age (OR = 0.97, CI: 0.95-1.00; p = 0.023), anxiety (OR = 2.09, CI: 1.17-3.73; p = 0.012), RYGB (OR = 1.88, CI: 1.02-3.45; p = 0.042), and > 50% call quality versus no Ph-DC (OR = 0.45, CI: 0.25-0.83; p = 0.010) were independently associated with NUHRs. Conclusion High-quality Ph(DC)s may play a role in mitigating NUHRs. Care coaching represents a potential intervention to decrease high rates of NUHR in primary bariatric surgery patients.

Automated summary

High-quality post-discharge phone calls may help mitigate early non-urgent hospital returns in patients who have undergone primary bariatric surgery. Care coaching represents a potential intervention to decrease high rates of non-urgent hospital returns in these patients.