At a glance
ClinicalIndex Comparison RecordStandardized by ClinicalIndex from the ClinicalTrials.gov record · verify against the source.
The First Planned Outpatient Review After Cardiac Surgery: Is Six Weeks Too Long?
In Brief
An observational study for Postoperative; Dysfunction Following Cardiac Surgery. Completed, enrolled 85 participants across 1 site.
Detailed Summary
Although the first outpatient review following cardiac surgery is conventionally scheduled for six weeks after hospital discharge, there is no evidence to support this practice. Thirty-day mortality and morbidity rates, which are now widely used as indicators of the quality of surgical care, reveal rates that are higher than corresponding in-hospital rates. Secondly, the rates for mortality and morbidity occurring up to 6 weeks after surgery are not known. The objectives of our study are to determine the postoperative mortality and morbidity rates in the 6-week interval between hospital discharge and the first planned specialist review after cardiac surgery, and to assess the level of patient satisfaction with current practice. The study will enrol eligible patients who are undergoing elective and urgent coronary artery bypass and/or valve surgery at our institution over a 6-month period and provide them with study information. Prior to discharge after surgery, prospective participants will be consented and given a questionnaire to take home, complete and bring along to the outpatient appointment. The investigators will analyse the data to determine the rates and timing of the complications, and the impact on postoperative recovery. The investigators will also assess the level of patient satisfaction with the current practice. Appropriate conclusions either in support of current practice or, a change in practice would be drawn..