Patients in the Know: Impact on Recovery

Presented by David Lee, MD, FACS, and Kathleen Heneghan, PhD, MSN, RN, PN-C
(Recorded July 2017)

With 65 percent of all surgical procedures now outpatient, the main providers of postoperative care are the patients and their families. The need for optimal communication and education is essential for improving surgical outcomes and decreasing avoidable emergency room visits and rehospitalization.

This webinar reviews the literature on quality patient education initiatives and best practice to influence compliance, improve surgical outcomes, avoid readmissions, and support the safe transition from hospital to home.

ACS developed materials (access and outcomes) are included as part of this presentation. Informed consent; quit smoking before surgery (patient guide and coding for reimbursement); brochures series; opioids and surgery; and home skills training—ostomy, central line, feeding tubes and complex wounds) are reviewed.

Learning Objectives

• Utilize evidence-based approaches to support best prep and home care training for the surgical patient.
• Identify tools and programs offered by the ACS Patient Education Program for use and evaluation within your practice.

About David Lee

David Lee, MD, FACS, is a general surgeon working in Houston for the Michael E. Debakey Veterans Administration Medical Center. Dr. Lee attended the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Houston, and finished his residency at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, OH. Dr. Lee is Board certified, and is a subspecialist in colon rectal disorders and cancers. He is a member of the ACS Patient Education Workgroup.

About Kathleen Heneghan

Kathleen Heneghan is the Assistant Director of the Surgical Patient Education Program at the ACS where she has helped launch programs for patients and professionals on informed consent, surgical preparation, safe surgical discharge, patient safety, skills training, and surgeon/treatment search engines.