Performing Post-Discharge Telephone Calls Essay (Literature Review)

Exclusively available on IvyPanda Available only on IvyPanda

Many researchers are interested in examining experiences of surgical patients with the focus on a post-discharge period. In addition, researchers often choose to concentrate on the associated levels of readmissions in hospitals. The purpose of this paper is to summarize and evaluate the peer-reviewed literature on the topic of performing post-discharge telephone calls that is available in different databases.

We will write a custom essay on your topic a custom Essay on Performing Post-Discharge Telephone Calls
808 writers online

Description of the Search Method

To find the peer-reviewed literature that is related to the problem of performing post-discharge telephone follow-up calls while working with adult surgical patients to prevent increases in levels of hospital readmissions, it was necessary to search such databases as PubMed and Ovid MEDLINE because they allowed for using PICO(T) question search tools. Thus, to find the most relevant articles, it was important to use such keywords as ‘surgery’, ‘surgical patients’, ‘follow-up’, ‘follow-up call’, ‘telephone’, ‘telephone follow-up’, ‘telephone call’, ‘post-discharge’, ‘post-discharge follow-up’, and ‘readmission’ in different combinations in order to specify the population, intervention, and outcome to guide the search with the help of the discussed tools.

It was critical to limit the search to randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and cohort studies that were published within the past five years. The inclusion criteria were the following ones: (a) an article has represented results of clinical trials, systematic reviews, and cohort studies; (b) an article has represented findings to support the use of post-discharge telephone follow-up calls to decrease the readmission rate; (c) an article was published within the past five years. The exclusion criterion was the inappropriateness of an article to support the proposed intervention. As a result, 3204 studies were found as suitable while using the selected keywords. After narrowing the search with the focus on inclusion and exclusion criteria, 238 articles were determined as appropriate. Ten articles were selected for further examination at this stage of working on the project (Appendix A).

Summary of the Selected Studies

The article by Leppin et al. (2014) has presented the results of a systematic review of the literature related to the use of interventions to reduce hospital readmissions. It was found that different interventions, including follow-up calls, could decrease the rate of readmissions significantly because of improvements in post-discharge care. However, the article had weaknesses because of including the limited number of trials to discuss in terms of using telephone follow-up calls. In their turn, Szöts, Konradsen, Solgaard, and Østergaard (2014) have stated that telephone follow-ups contributed to improving health outcomes for surgical patients. Clari et al. (2015) also supported these conclusions, and the strength of their study was in presenting the credible and detailed controlled trial. On the contrary, the study by Sooby and Kirkland (2015) had many limitations because of its type, and the study’s results could be used only for providing background information.

Daniels et al. (2016) have found that those surgical patients who received calls from nurses after discharging had fewer complaints and reasons to be readmitted to hospitals. The study’s strength was the focus on a large sample to discuss patients’ satisfaction in this context. Similar results were provided by Chen, Li, and Lin (2016), who studied the impact of telephone follow-ups on patients’ outcomes and quality of life. According to Hoffman and Pelosini (2016), telephone follow-ups could increase patient satisfaction, but the study’s limitations were in using a small sample and a non-randomized method. In their study, Lushaj et al. (2016) also focused on studying the impact of telephone follow-up calls on readmission levels. The strength of the study was in providing the statistically supported conclusions regarding the positive effect of calls on decreasing readmission rates. Hornick, Balderman, Eugea, Sanchez, and Zayed (2016) discussed the role of follow-ups to reduce risk factors for surgical patients, and the study’s weakness was in focusing on readmissions only as one of the risks. The results of the study by Antonoff et al. (2016) were also important, but it could be discussed as limited because it was designed as a review.

Internal and External Validity

While discussing internal and external validity in relation to the summarized studies, it is important to note that systematic reviews and randomized controlled and clinical trials have the highest level of external validity in contrast to cohort studies and reviews because of the possibility to generalize the received results. Therefore, the high external validity is typical of works by Leppin et al. (2014), Szöts et al. (2014), Clari et al. (2015), Daniels et al. (2016), Hornick et al. (2016), and Chen et al. (2016). Despite the fact that not all of the discussed studies are characterized by external validity, internal validity is typical of all studies summarized for the purpose of this project because results presented in the articles are directly attributable or related to the set independent variables. However, not all dependent variables are directly associated with the topic of this project, and the information presented in these articles can be used to provide the background for the study.

Conclusion

The paper presents a summary of the literature that is appropriate to support the project and provide the background for analyzing the formulated research question. The review of the literature demonstrates that there are many articles that are directly or indirectly associated with the topic of the planned project. The analysis of the articles’ credibility indicates that all studies are characterized by high-level internal validity, and almost all provided studies are characterized by significant external validity.

1 hour!
The minimum time our certified writers need to deliver a 100% original paper

Appendix A

Evaluation Table

CitationConceptual FrameworkDesign/MethodSample/SettingMajor Variables Studies and Their DefinitionsMeasurementData AnalysisFindingsAppraisal: Worth to Practice
Leppin, A. L., Gionfriddo, M. R., Kessler, M., Brito, J. P., Mair, F. S., Gallacher, K.,… & Ting, H. H. (2014). Preventing 30-day hospital readmissions: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials.JAMA Internal Medicine, 174(7), 1095-1107. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.1608The cumulative complexity model.Systematic literature review.42 trials.IV – different types of interventions;
DV- the readmission rate.
Cochran Q χ2 test.Random-effects meta-analysis, meta-regression analysis.Post-charge intervention can prevent hospital readmissions.Level I evidence.
Szöts, K., Konradsen, H., Solgaard, S., & Østergaard, B. (2014). Telephone follow-up by a nurse following total knee arthroplasty-protocol for a randomized clinical trial. BMC Nursing, 13(1), 1-8. doi:10.1186/1472-6955-13-14Self-efficacy theory.Randomized clinical trial.116 patients.IV –follow-up calls;
DV – postoperative complaints.
WOMAC scale.Chi-square test and the Mann-Whitney test.Follow-up calls lead to an improvement in care and outcomes.Level II evidence.
Sooby, P., & Kirkland, P. (2015). Use of nurse-led telephone follow-up as a sole method of assessing patients after nasal surgery. BMJ Quality Improvement Reports, 4(1), 1-4. doi:10.1136/bmjquality.u208386.w3311Theory of quality improvement.Retrospective study.41 patients.IV –follow-up calls;
DV – post-discharge outcomes.
n/aStatistical averages.The follow-up performed by nurses is important to reduce risks for patients.Level VI evidence.
Clari, M., Frigerio, S., Ricceri, F., Pici, A., Alvaro, R., & Dimonte, V. (2015). Follow‐up telephone calls to patients discharged after undergoing orthopedic surgery: Double‐blind, randomized controlled trial of efficacy. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 24(19), 2736-2744. doi:10.1111/jocn.12795Theory of social complex interventions.A randomized controlled trial.219 patients.IV –follow-up calls;
DV – post-discharge complaints.
Cronbach’s alpha.Multivariate linear regression.Follow-up calls contribute to reducing complaints among patients.Level II evidence.
Hoffman, J. J., & Pelosini, L. (2016). Telephone follow-up for cataract surgery: Feasibility and patient satisfaction study. International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, 29(4), 407-416. doi:10.1108/IJHCQA-08-2015-0096Theory of patient satisfaction.A non-randomised cohort study.50 patients.IV – telephone follow-ups;
DV – patient satisfaction.
A ten-point scale.Statistical averages.Patients who were contacted with the help of calls demonstrated a high level of satisfaction.Level IV evidence.
Daniels, S. A., Kelly, A., Bachand, D., Simeoni, E., Hall, C., Hofer, S. M., & Hayashi, A. (2016). Call to care: The impact of 24-hour postdischarge telephone follow-up in the treatment of surgical day care patients. The American Journal of Surgery, 211(5), 963-967. doi:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2016.01.015Theory of patient satisfaction.A randomized controlled trial.854 patients.IV- telephone post-discharge calls;
DV – postoperative complaints.
n/aChi-square and t-tests.Patients who received calls had only some postoperative complaints.Level II evidence.
Lushaj, E. B., Nelson, K., Amond, K., Kenny, E., Badami, A., & Anagnostopoulos, P. V. (2016). Timely post-discharge telephone follow-up is a useful tool in identifying post-discharge complications patients after congenital heart surgery. Pediatric Cardiology, 37(6), 1106-1110. doi:10.1007/s00246-016-1398-3The use of postoperative strategies.Cohort study.165 patients.IV- telephone calls;
DV – the readmission rate.
n/aChi-square and t-tests.When calls are made early, the risk of readmissions decreases.Level IV evidence.
Hornick, J. R., Balderman, J. A., Eugea, R., Sanchez, L. A., & Zayed, M. A. (2016). A telephone call 1 week after hospitalization can identify risk factors for vascular surgery readmission. Journal of Vascular Surgery, 64(3), 719-725. doi:10.1016/j.jvs.2016.04.060The theory of risk factors.Randomized clinical trial.167 patients.IV – follow-ups;
DV – risk factors.
n/aStatistical averages and t-tests.Follow-up calls can affect risk factors insignificantly.Level II evidence.
Antonoff, M. B., Ragalie, W., Correa, A. M., Spicer, J. D., Sepesi, B., Roth, J. A.,… & Vaporciyan, A. A. (2016). Results of postdischarge nursing telephone assessments: Persistent symptoms common among pulmonary resection patients. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 12(4), 1-6. doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2016.01.062Fast-track protocols.Retrospective review.523 patients.IV – follow-ups;
DV – patients’ complaints.
n/aLogistic regression.Follow-up calls can reduce risks for readmissions associated with patients’ complaints.Level V evidence.
Chen, M., Li, P., & Lin, F. (2016). Influence of structured telephone follow-up on patient compliance with rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty. Patient Preference and Adherence, 10(1), 257-264. doi:10.2147/PPA.S102156Rehabilitation models.A randomized controlled trial.202 patients.IV – follow-ups;
DV –pain.
WOMAC test.ANOVA tests.Follow-up calls lead to decreasing risks of pain in discharged patients.Level II evidence.

References

Antonoff, M. B., Ragalie, W., Correa, A. M., Spicer, J. D., Sepesi, B., Roth, J. A.,… & Vaporciyan, A. A. (2016). Results of postdischarge nursing telephone assessments: Persistent symptoms common among pulmonary resection patients. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 12(4), 1-6. Web.

Chen, M., Li, P., & Lin, F. (2016). Influence of structured telephone follow-up on patient compliance with rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty. Patient Preference and Adherence, 10(1), 257-264. Web.

Clari, M., Frigerio, S., Ricceri, F., Pici, A., Alvaro, R., & Dimonte, V. (2015). Follow‐up telephone calls to patients discharged after undergoing orthopaedic surgery: Double‐blind, randomised controlled trial of efficacy. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 24(19), 2736-2744. Web.

Daniels, S. A., Kelly, A., Bachand, D., Simeoni, E., Hall, C., Hofer, S. M., & Hayashi, A. (2016). Call to care: The impact of 24-hour postdischarge telephone follow-up in the treatment of surgical day care patients. The American Journal of Surgery, 211(5), 963-967. Web.

Hoffman, J. J., & Pelosini, L. (2016). Telephone follow-up for cataract surgery: Feasibility and patient satisfaction study. International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, 29(4), 407-416. Web.

Hornick, J. R., Balderman, J. A., Eugea, R., Sanchez, L. A., & Zayed, M. A. (2016). A telephone call 1 week after hospitalization can identify risk factors for vascular surgery readmission. Journal of Vascular Surgery, 64(3), 719-725. Web.

Leppin, A. L., Gionfriddo, M. R., Kessler, M., Brito, J. P., Mair, F. S., Gallacher, K.,… & Ting, H. H. (2014). Preventing 30-day hospital readmissions: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials. JAMA Internal Medicine, 174(7), 1095-1107. Web.

Remember! This is just a sample
You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers

Lushaj, E. B., Nelson, K., Amond, K., Kenny, E., Badami, A., & Anagnostopoulos, P. V. (2016). Timely post-discharge telephone follow-up is a useful tool in identifying post-discharge complications patients after congenital heart surgery. Pediatric Cardiology, 37(6), 1106-1110. Web.

Sooby, P., & Kirkland, P. (2015). Use of nurse-led telephone follow-up as a sole method of assessing patients after nasal surgery. BMJ Quality Improvement Reports, 4(1), 1-4. Web.

Szöts, K., Konradsen, H., Solgaard, S., & Østergaard, B. (2014). Telephone follow-up by nurse following total knee arthroplasty-protocol for a randomized clinical trial. BMC Nursing, 13(1), 1-8. Web.

Print
Need an custom research paper on Performing Post-Discharge Telephone Calls written from scratch by a professional specifically for you?
808 writers online
Cite This paper
Select a referencing style:

Reference

IvyPanda. (2022, June 9). Performing Post-Discharge Telephone Calls. https://ivypanda.com/essays/post-discharge-telephone-calls-literature-review/

Work Cited

"Performing Post-Discharge Telephone Calls." IvyPanda, 9 June 2022, ivypanda.com/essays/post-discharge-telephone-calls-literature-review/.

References

IvyPanda. (2022) 'Performing Post-Discharge Telephone Calls'. 9 June.

References

IvyPanda. 2022. "Performing Post-Discharge Telephone Calls." June 9, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/post-discharge-telephone-calls-literature-review/.

1. IvyPanda. "Performing Post-Discharge Telephone Calls." June 9, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/post-discharge-telephone-calls-literature-review/.


Bibliography


IvyPanda. "Performing Post-Discharge Telephone Calls." June 9, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/post-discharge-telephone-calls-literature-review/.

Powered by CiteTotal, easy referencing tool
If you are the copyright owner of this paper and no longer wish to have your work published on IvyPanda. Request the removal
More related papers
Cite
Print
1 / 1