MONTRÉAL (October 19, 2015)- Researchers from Toronto East General Hospital and SeamlessMD have found that the use of text message reminders and having patients log post-operative progress significantly reduces the risk of cancellations for procedures and decreases post-op ER visits.
Researchers helped to create electronic reminders and Web-based modules to improve patient compliance to pre-operative instructions. Prior studies have shown that less than 40% of patients read the instructions doctors give them before surgery and less than 20% can articulate important information contained within the instructions.
To date, 167 patients participated and 98% of them said they were satisfied with the tools the mobile product provided. Patients reported their positive responses noting the ways in which the mobile application empowered them, helping them keep track of their progress, and offered more accessibility to their surgeon.
"We believe this tool has great potential to improve communication with patients, increase patient satisfaction, decrease ER visits, and improve patient outcomes following thoracic surgery," said Dr. Carmine Simone, Toronto East General Hospital physician and lead researcher.
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Further results will be shared during CHEST 2015 on Wednesday, October 28, 2015, at 8:45 am at Palais des congrès de Montréal, room 512cg. The study abstract can be viewed on the CHEST website.
CHEST 2015 is the 81st annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians, held October 24-28, 2015, in Montréal, Canada. The American College of Chest Physicians, publisher of the journal CHEST, is the global leader in advancing best patient outcomes through innovative chest medicine education, clinical research, and team-based care. Its mission is to champion the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chest diseases through education, communication, and research. It serves as an essential connection to clinical knowledge and resources for its 18,700 members from around the world who provide patient care in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. For more information about CHEST 2015, visit http://chestmeeting.chestnet.org, or follow the CHEST meeting hashtag, #CHEST2015, on social media.