Data shows preoperative Web-based interactive programs reduce hospital stays

Patients who participate in Web-based interactive programs prior to surgery have a significantly shorter length of stay (LOS) than those who do not, according to new data. Preoperative education reinforces messages about care instructions and safety, and reduces the level of stress patients experience after their procedure - leading to improved efficiency and care.

“After discussing all the options for managing prostate cancer, many patients are often too overwhelmed to truly understand what has been said”

Data is based on a recent retrospective analysis conducted at UPMC involving 3,300 inpatient medical records in six diagnostic-related groups (DRGs). Patients who viewed Emmi^® programs, created by Chicago-based Emmi Solutions, prior to their procedures had an on-average stay 0.7 days lower than non-program viewers.

"After discussing all the options for managing prostate cancer, many patients are often too overwhelmed to truly understand what has been said," explains Dr. Joel B. Nelson, Chairman of the Department of Urology at UPMC. "This technology allows me to connect with them - and often their loved ones - in their home environment, where they are more likely to retain and act upon the information given. This results in a better informed patient and a speedier recovery."

The Web-based interactive programs are about 20 minutes long and use easy-to-understand language - supported by audio, text and images - to guide patients through their hospital experience from pre-op to post-op. The programs include an anatomy lesson, instructions, recovery information, and risks/benefits and alternatives. View one of the programs included in the study, Radical Prostatectomy.

"UPMC originally purchased Emmi programs to inform and engage patients about their upcoming procedure, chronic condition, or a particular moment in care," explains Thomas Worrall, M.D., medical director, UPMC Center for Quality Improvement and Innovation. "Now, in addition to these benefits, we are seeing a correlation between Emmi programs and improved outcomes such as shorter hospital stays."

Patients involved in the analysis were from UPMC Presbyterian, UPMC Shadyside, UPMC St. Margaret, and Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC.

The six DRGs in the 21-month analysis included: 330 major small and large bowel procedures with complications and co-morbidities (CC); 470 major joint replacement without major CC (MCC); 707 major male pelvic procedures for non-malignancy with CC/MCC; and 743 uterine procedures for non-malignancy without CC/MCC.

Steps were taken during the analysis to ensure LOS for open and laparoscopic procedures were not compared, and procedures with major complications were not compared to those without.