As payment models shift toward a focus on value while reimbursement becomes increasingly tied to quality and patient experience, minimizing unexpected acute health needs has become a priority for both policymakers and clinical leaders. Despite recent emphasis on emergency department (ED) visits as a quality measure in surgery, little is known about the role of the ED in the early postoperative period after hand surgery. A recent study aimed to determine the rates, reasons, and factors associated with ED visits within 30 days of elective outpatient hand surgery (1). 

ED visits after hand surgery are common, often related to the procedure, and potentially responsive to quality improvement initiatives. Targeted efforts to educate patients about pain management, wound care, and the expected course of recovery before surgery, together with close postoperative contact (eg, routine phone calls, facsimile correspondence by email, or secure messaging) may limit visits to the ED.

References

1. Menendez ME, Ring D. Emergency Department Visits After Hand Surgery Are Common and Usually Related to Pain or Wound Issues. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2015 Aug 6. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 26245167.