J Dent Anesth Pain Med.  2015 Mar;15(1):5-10.

Telephone follow-up care for disabled patients discharged after receiving dental treatment under outpatient general anesthesia

• Chi SI
• Lee SE
• Seo KS
• Choi YJ
• Kim HJ
• Kim HJ
• Han JH
• Han HJ
• Lee EH
• Oh A
• Kwon SJ

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Patients were subjected to post-discharge follow-up (by telephone) in order to investigate the potential complications of outpatient general anesthesia or deep sedation that could develop in disabled dental patients discharged from the hospital. The ultimate aim of this study was to establish an appropriate response measure for such complications.
METHODS
The caregivers of 79 disabled patients who underwent dental procedures under general anesthesia at our outpatient clinic were interviewed over telephone. Necessary care instructions were provided during the phone calls when required. The patient satisfaction level regarding the telephonic follow-up care was surveyed by additional telephone calls.
RESULTS
Most of the patients did not suffer any serious complications; however, some reported fever and bleeding. The data obtained in this study can be utilized towards the development of caregiver education pertaining to the ambulatory general anesthesia of dental patients with disabilities.
CONCLUSIONS
Additionally, we hope that the findings of this study will help minimize the effects of complications experienced by disabled dental patients undergoing ambulatory general anesthesia, as well as increase the overall patient satisfaction level.

Keyword

Dental treatment; Disabled patients; Outpatient anesthesia; Telephone follow-up

MeSH Terms

Ambulatory Care Facilities
Anesthesia, General*
Caregivers
Deep Sedation
Education
Fever
Follow-Up Studies*
Hemorrhage
Hope
Humans
Outpatients*
Patient Satisfaction
Telephone*

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