Using outcome data and patient satisfaction surveys to develop policies regarding minimum length of hospitalization after radical prostatectomy

Abstract

Changes in health care economics have prompted new clinical pathways for radical prostatectomy to reduce length of hospitalization after surgery to 1 day. We evaluated satisfaction, outcomes, and short-term morbidity in 187 consecutive patients with overnight hospitalization after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP). In 1995, we initiated a critical pathway for RRP that included epidural anesthesia with or without spinal anesthesia and postoperative methadone, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen for pain control. Patients were discharged when they were afebrile, tolerating a regular diet, ambulating without assistance, and using oral medications for analgesia. An 18-item satisfaction survey was mailed to each patient 3 weeks after discharge. Responses to the postoperative survey, morbidity, blood loss, and use of transfusions were recorded. Of 252 patients who underwent RRP, 187 (74. 2%) were discharged 1 day after surgery. The mean age of patients was 61.4 years (range 42 to 73). A pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed in addition to the RRP in 32 men (17%). Epidural anesthesia with or without spinal anesthesia was used for all but 3 patients. The mean estimated blood loss was 1166 mL, and 24 patients (12.8%) required transfusion, with a mean of 1.9 U (range 1 to 6) of packed red blood cells. The postoperative complication rate was 11. 8%, of which 2.1% (n = 4) were definitely or probably related to our protocol. These complications included clot retention (n = 2), gastrointestinal bleeding (n = 1), and spinal headache (n = 1). Three of 187 patients were readmitted to the hospital within 30 days but only one (0.5%) required admission because of our protocol. The survey response rate was 91.4%. No patient was dissatisfied with his overall care, and only 10.5% of patients would have preferred to stay in the hospital longer. One-day hospitalization after RRP is associated with minimal postoperative morbidity and high patient satisfaction. Similar data are needed for RRP from other centers before policy decisions regarding the length of stay after this procedure are made.