Recover@Home Postoperative Follow-up Study

Surgeries in high-income countries have progressively transitioned to ambulatory settings, but in low- and middle-income countries, even patients who have low-acuity surgeries still typically stay in the hospital after their surgeries, and these postoperative inpatient stays are costly and inefficient, for both patients and the surgical facilities. We propose an innovative approach of Recover@Home in Uganda, incorporating mobile technology into postoperative care, to ensure safe, cost-effective and efficient care with same-day discharge and reliable follow-up after surgery. Using a multicenter, randomized controlled trial, we will provide the evidence necessary to shift practice towards ambulatory surgery for low-acuity surgical procedures, resulting in more efficient and effective allocation of healthcare resources in LMICs.

Inclusion criteria

• Age 18 years or older.
• Undergoing one of the eligible surgical procedures: inguinal/femoral hernia repair; umbilical/epigastric hernia repair; excision of soft tissue tumors; thyroidectomy; or appendectomy; varicocelectomy, hydrocelectomy.
• Able to provide informed consent, with consent read aloud and/or fingerprint signature permitted where approved by local ethics authorities.
• Available for inpatient interviews, postoperative clinic visit interviews, and postoperative telephone and/or home follow-up during the 30-day postoperative period.

Exclusion criteria

• Clinical determination by the surgeon or anesthesia team that same-day discharge is unsafe or inappropriate.
• Inability to provide informed consent or lack of an approved surrogate/alternative consent process if required by the IRB.
• Any other exclusion required by the final approved protocol or local regulatory authority.
• ASA 3 or higher