Colorectal Surgery & Returns to the ED

A retrospective cohort study of post colorectal surgery and trips to the emergency department (ED) is discussed in the journal of Diseases of the Colon & Rectum. In order to increase prevention of return ED visits—approximately 11% of patients—researchers characterized the factors that brought people back. Potentially preventable etiologies included pain, stoma complications, and non-English speaking.

For those people returning to the ED, the average time spent there was approximately 8 hours; 2/3rds of those visits led to patients being readmitted. The study concluded: “One third of emergency department visits after colorectal surgery are potentially preventable. Special attention should be directed toward those patients who do not speak English as a primary language.”

 

Access the journal article.

Other Categories:

• gastrointestinal

• inflammatory bowel disease

• pain assessment

• pain management

• patient centered care

• postsurgical pain management

• Surgery